Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Montana: $65,265 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $65,265/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,843 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($63,790), Helena ($63,690), Missoula ($63,130).
In Montana, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn an average median salary of $65,264, which is about 4.1% lower than the national median of $68,071. The highest-paying city for LPNs is Bozeman, where salaries reach $67,426, while Great Falls offers the lowest at $63,441, creating a salary gap of $3,985 between these two cities. This difference can be attributed to variations in cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local healthcare facility funding. Montana's state licensing requirements necessitate completion of an accredited practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The scope of practice laws allow LPNs to perform a variety of clinical tasks under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, which is essential for meeting patient needs across diverse healthcare settings. With a projected growth rate of 5.70% in the coming years, the job market for LPNs in Montana is expanding, driven by an increasing demand for healthcare services due to an aging population and the ongoing need for quality patient care. Top cities for employment are Helena at $67,320, Missoula at $66,728, Butte at $64,848, and Billings at $63,948, reflecting a strong regional presence for LPNs in the state.
Montana Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $41,836 (lowest entry-level) to $84,095 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana licensed practical nurses earn 4.12% less than the national median ($-2,806/year difference).
Montana Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Montana range from $48,655 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,565 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,265. The Montana median is $2,806 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.38/hr. Approximately 911 licensed practical nurses are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,324
2025 BLS Actual
$61,745
2026 Current Est.
$65,265
2019–2027 Growth
+48.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,571 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,528 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,013 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,745 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,265 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.3% from $46,324 (2019) to $61,745 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,661 (48.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Great Falls | $63,441 |
| Kalispell | $63,716 |
| Billings | $63,948 |
| Butte | $64,848 |
| Missoula | $66,728 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $67,320 | 95.675 | $70,363 |
| Missoula | $66,728 | 96.445 | $69,188 |
| Billings | $63,948 | 93.526 | $68,375 |
| Butte | $64,848 | 96.2 | $67,410 |
| Kalispell | $63,716 | 96.2 | $66,233 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,655 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,265 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,565 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Montana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Montana licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov