How much does a Firefighter make in Montana?

The average Firefighter salary in Montana is around $80,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Montana state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $61,256 annually ($5,105/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Firefighter in Montana?

On a $80,000 salary in Montana, your take-home pay is approximately $61,256/year or $5,105/month. Federal tax: $8,770. State tax: $3,855. FICA: $0.00.

Is $80,000 a good Firefighter salary?

$80,000 is a competitive salary for a Firefighter — above the national median. In Montana, demand for this role is active.

How do Montana taxes affect Firefighter salaries?

Montana levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $80,000 is $3,855. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 23.4%.

What are the career growth prospects for Firefighters?

4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average); EMT/paramedic dual-cert growing faster. Related roles include: Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, Paramedic Firefighter, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, HazMat Specialist.

How can a Firefighter in Montana reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Firefighter Salary in Montana (2026)

The average Firefighter in Montana earns around $80,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $61,256/year ($5,105/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$61,256
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,105
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,356
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$29/hr
Federal Tax	$8,770
State Tax	$3,855
FICA Taxes	$6,120
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	23.43%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Key terms:···

Firefighter Salary Ranges in Montana

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$52,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$80,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$135,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Firefighters earn the same — not even close

Montana's firefighter market is anchored by Billings Fire Department (~165 sworn + IAFF Local 521 + the largest MT career fire department), Missoula Fire Department (~135 sworn + IAFF Local 271) + Great Falls Fire Rescue + Bozeman Fire Department + Helena Fire Department + Kalispell Fire Department + Butte-Silver Bow Fire (substantial MT career departments), the substantial Missoula Aerial Fire Depot Smokejumper (one of country's earliest US smokejumper bases founded 1939 + the substantial post-2024 substantial MT wildfire surge response), the substantial Yellowstone NPS + Glacier NPS + USFS Region 1 Northern Region HQ Missoula + BLM MT + MT DNRC wildland firefighter, Malmstrom AFB Fire Department federal civilian fire, the substantial Indian Health Service IHS + tribal fire (Blackfeet + Crow + Northern Cheyenne + Fort Peck reservation fire), plus MPERA Montana Public Employees Retirement Administration pension.

Senior Captain / Battalion Chief (Billings / Missoula)

$72,000–$118,000+ OT

Senior officer at Billings + Missoula + Great Falls + Bozeman · IAFF leadership + OBBBA OT

Senior Firefighter (Step 10+ / Billings / Missoula)

$52,000–$78,000+ OT

Senior FF at MT career fire departments · top-of-scale + OT premium

Senior Paramedic-Firefighter

$62,000–$92,000+ OT

Dual-cert FF/Paramedic · Billings + Missoula + Great Falls + Bozeman · NREMT-Paramedic

Senior Smokejumper (Missoula Aerial Fire Depot)

$72,000–$118,000+ OT + hazard

Missoula Smokejumper + the substantial post-2024 substantial MT wildfire surge response

Senior Wildland Firefighter / Hotshot

$52,000–$92,000+ OT + hazard

USFS + BLM MT + MT DNRC + the substantial MT post-2024 wildfire response

Senior Yellowstone / Glacier NPS Firefighter

$58,000–$92,000+ OT + hazard

Yellowstone + Glacier NPS · the substantial NPS wildland fire + structural protection

Senior Federal Firefighter (Malmstrom AFB)

$72,000–$108,000+ OT

Malmstrom AFB federal civilian + cleared premium · 341st MW + Sentinel facility fire

Senior IHS / Tribal Reservation Firefighter

$52,000–$82,000+ OT + hazard

Blackfeet + Crow + Northern Cheyenne + Fort Peck reservation fire response

Senior Fire Inspector / Prevention

$58,000–$82,000

Fire prevention bureau · plan review + inspection + arson investigation · NFPA inspector

New Career Firefighter (Step 1-4)

$42,000–$55,000+ OT

New career FF · MPERA membership at hire · Step 1-4 band

Worth knowing: Missoula Aerial Fire Depot Smokejumper + the substantial MT wildland fire response is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state wildland firefighter + Smokejumper anchor and a feature most national firefighter surveys understate for MT. The substantial Missoula Aerial Fire Depot (one of country's earliest US smokejumper bases founded 1939 + the substantial Missoula Smokejumper substantial training + operations + the substantial USFS Region 1 Northern Region HQ Missoula coordination of substantial Northern Rockies wildfire response + the substantial post-2017 Lodgepole Complex Fire + post-2021 Trail Creek Fire + post-2024 substantial MT wildfire season + the substantial Missoula Smokejumper post-2020 substantial wildfire surge response + the substantial MT-WY-ID-OR-WA-ND-SD interagency wildfire response coordination + the substantial USFS aerial fire depot + the substantial Missoula USFS hotshot crews + the substantial post-2024 federal wildfire response investment) supports substantial MT wildland firefighter work. Senior Missoula Smokejumpers + USFS hotshots clear $72-118K + OT + hazard pay. Billings Fire Department + Missoula Fire + Great Falls + Bozeman + Helena + Kalispell career fire departments + Yellowstone + Glacier NPS firefighter + Malmstrom AFB federal civilian fire + post-2024 Sentinel facility fire + the substantial IHS + tribal reservation fire response. MPERA pension. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028. MT flat 5.9% + MT is NOT a RTW state + MT 0% sales tax anchor the MT firefighter proposition.