Montana Firefighter Salary (2026) – Pay Scale, Overtime Rules, Benefits & How to Compare
Montana firefighter compensation should be compared using department-level inputs you can verify: pay scale by rank/step, schedule design, overtime policy, and benefit deductions. This avoids misleading “average salary” comparisons.
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Best practice: collect the official pay scale and benefit summary for each department you’re considering, then compare side-by-side.
What Drives Pay in Montana
- Rank/step plan: progression and promotions typically drive long-term growth.
- Schedule design: overtime calculation and premium rules change annual totals.
- Overtime policy: assignment method, callbacks/holdovers, and caps determine realistic earnings.
- Benefits/deductions: retirement and healthcare contributions affect take-home pay.
Overtime and Specialty Pay: What to Verify
- How overtime is assigned (rotation/seniority/assignment)
- Callback/holdover minimums and triggers
- Any incentives for certifications or specialty roles
How to Compare Two Montana Departments
- Match the same rank/step.
- Confirm schedule and overtime calculation method.
- Estimate realistic overtime (not maximum overtime).
- Subtract expected deductions.
- Compare purchasing power using housing and commute costs.
FAQ
Where should I verify Montana firefighter pay?
Use the department or city/county HR pay scale and any posted policy/contract documentation for overtime and benefits.
Why can take-home pay differ from posted salary?
Deductions and overtime rules vary by department and can materially change net pay.
