Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Billings, MT: $73,843 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,843 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,955 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($86,670) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the registered nursing field in Billings, Montana, the starting registered nurse salary in 2026 is projected to be approximately $73,843. This entry-level figure presents a significant difference compared to the city’s median annual salary of $86,670. New graduates can expect to see gradual salary growth as they gain experience, advancing from the P10 figure to the P25, estimated at $84,469 by the end of their first three to five years. Given the city's relatively stable job market and annual growth rate of 5.31%, Billings is positioned as an encouraging environment for newly licensed nurses looking to jumpstart their careers in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Entry-level registered nurses in Billings, MT typically start between $73,843 and $84,469 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,959 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $86,670 — 15.63% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Montana of $48,000 represents just 65.00% of the starting registered nurse pay ($73,843/year) in Billings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $73,843 to $84,469, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Billings is $48,959 ( 66.30%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,843, experienced hygienists can earn up to $122,802.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,971
2025 BLS Actual
$70,120
2026 Current Est.
$73,843
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,971 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,843 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,764 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,971 in 2019 to $70,120 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,764. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Billings
In the Billings area, several key employers actively recruit new graduates, including large hospital systems that run dedicated nurse residency programs, typically lasting around 12 months. Such programs often feature rotations through high-need areas like the ICU and emergency departments, facilitating broader training and experience. Additionally, community hospitals are known for quicker cross-training opportunities. New RNs can enhance their earning potential by obtaining credentials such as an RN license, an ASN or BSN, and optional certifications from recognized bodies like the AACN or AORN. Specialty certifications are highly desirable, especially for roles in magnet-status hospitals, which often prioritize BSN-prepared candidates and recognized certifications. Realistic salary growth in the first three years can be influenced by various factors including shift differentials for nights and weekends, and the continued demand for travel nurses in higher cost-of-living specialty markets, making Billings a favorable place for new grad registered nurse pay in MT.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov