Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $41.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Billings, MT runs $41.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,670 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,006 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Billings, Montana, the projected registered nurse hourly pay for 2026 stands at $41.67, significantly below the national median of $49.39. This hourly rate is particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers in various nursing settings, including hospital floors, intensive care units, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics, allowing them to secure a competitive wage based on their weekly schedules. The hourly range for RNs in Billings spans from $35.50 at the entry-level (P10) to as much as $59.04 for top earners (P90), reflecting the diverse opportunities and specializations available in the local healthcare market. Official estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that these figures provide an accurate overview of the compensation landscape for registered nursing professionals in Montana.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.50 | $284.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.61 | $324.86 |
| Median (P50) | $41.67 | $333.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.64 | $405.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.04 | $472.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $41.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.67/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $86,676 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,005. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,666.85 | $7,223 | $86,676 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,000.11 | $4,334 | $52,006 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $666.74 | $2,889 | $34,670 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Billings) | $41.67 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Billings, MT earn a median of $86,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.63% lower than the national median of $102,730.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.67/hr = $52,006/year (purchasing power: $55,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,676/year (purchasing power: $92,676).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Billings grew 33.1% from $29.73/hr (2019) to $39.57/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Billings
For those considering part-time positions, a registered nurse working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $43,600 annually if they take on a 24-hour workweek, contrasting starkly with the potential for full-time earnings. The reality for per diem registered nurses in Billings presents even more lucrative options, as they typically charge between $50 and $80 per hour depending on their specialty. Moreover, traveling nurses can command contracts between $2,000 and $4,500 weekly, particularly in high-demand areas like ICU, with some crisis-rate contracts reaching $5,000 to $8,000 in shortage markets. Hourly compensation varies widely across employer types in Billings, from hospitals to home health agencies, and can reflect factors such as benefits and job security. Registered nurses might accept lower hourly rates from employers offering comprehensive health insurance to offset the potential loss of higher hourly rates from positions without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate, understanding the local job market and the range of compensation available can aid in achieving favorable terms that align with their personal and professional goals in nursing.
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
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Billings. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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