Security Guards Salary in Montana
At $38,480 a year, the median for security guards in Montana is close to the national median of $38,020 (+1%); Montana ranks 24th of 51 states by median. That is 21% less than the median across all occupations in Montana ($48,740). Among neighbouring states, North Dakota and Wyoming pay more (up to $39,310 in North Dakota) and Idaho and South Dakota pay less (down to $37,150 in South Dakota). Montana employs 1,610 security guards, 3.15 per 1,000 jobs, the 47th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.38 means it is less common in Montana than nationally.
Montana vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Montana | Hourly | $13.85 | $16.95 | $18.50 | $22.26 | $27.55 | $20.32 | 1,610 | 3.15 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $28,800 | $35,260 | $38,480 | $46,300 | $57,310 | $42,270 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $14.52 | $16.93 | $18.28 | $22.21 | $28.29 | $20.42 | 1,283,470 | – | – |
| Annual | $30,210 | $35,210 | $38,020 | $46,200 | $58,840 | $42,470 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 24th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 47th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.38
- Jobs per 1,000
- 3.15
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Montana's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Montana
5 metropolitan areas and 3 nonmetropolitan areas touching Montana publish a row for security guards, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $20.17 | $41,950 | $36,060 | $44,380 | 260 | 7.07 | 0.86 |
| Bozeman, MT | $19.91 | $41,420 | $31,200 | $57,570 | 130 | 1.77 | 0.21 |
| Billings, MT | $18.29 | $38,040 | $28,970 | $54,620 | 230 | 2.46 | 0.30 |
| Helena, MT | $18.23 | $37,920 | $28,970 | $51,460 | 90 | 2.03 | 0.25 |
| Missoula, MT | $17.67 | $36,750 | $28,570 | $47,430 | 220 | 3.35 | 0.41 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $23.19 | $48,230 | $31,200 | $76,890 | 180 | 4.69 | 0.57 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $20.00 | $41,600 | $28,440 | $76,890 | 260 | 3.09 | 0.37 |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $17.70 | $36,820 | $26,350 | $44,360 | ** | ** | ** |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $18.50 | $38,480 | 1,610 | 0.38 |
| Idaho | $18.41 | $38,300 | 3,750 | 0.53 |
| North Dakota | $18.90 | $39,310 | 1,310 | 0.37 |
| South Dakota | $17.86 | $37,150 | 1,460 | 0.39 |
| Wyoming | $18.85 | $39,200 | 1,130 | 0.49 |
See the national page for Security Guards (every state ranked) and the Montana wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Montana estimates.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.