Nurse Practitioner Salary in Helena, MT: $141,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Helena, MT earns a median $141,126/year (≈ $67.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $147,506 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Helena, Montana, nurse practitioners can expect a median annual salary of $141,126 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge of approximately 3.11% over the national median of $136,864. This figure indicates the city's strong demand for advanced practice providers, with the salary range extending from $118,233 at the 10th percentile to $172,596 at the 90th percentile. The data presented here is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the financial potential for nurse practitioners, particularly those specializing in psychiatric mental health (PMHNP) over family practice (FNP) or adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP). Such distinctions in pay correlate with the unique healthcare needs within the community, underscoring the value of specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $118,233 | $56.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,316 | $66.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,126 | $67.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,954 | $76.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,596 | $82.98 |
Median Salary Position
3.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,363 (2026 est.). At $141,126, the local median is 3.11% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Helena median: $141,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $136,864 | +3.11% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Helena, MT earn a median of $141,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.11% higher than the national median of $136,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $141,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,506 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,240
2025 BLS Actual
$136,420
2026 Current Est.
$141,126
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,158 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,438 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,397 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,192 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $113,240 (2019) to $136,420 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,755 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $118,233 – $139,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,316 – $141,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,126 – $159,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,954 – $172,596 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Helena
Currently, Helena employs around 110 nurse practitioners, a number that supports a robust healthcare ecosystem. With a cost-of-living index of 95.675, practitioners in this city enjoy a take-home purchasing power that exceeds the national average, allowing them to make the most of their earnings. Among major employers, hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay, reflecting the emphasis on specialized care. The variance in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as the focus on particular populations, the opportunity for productivity bonuses, and the implications of state practice regulations. For those looking to maximize their nurse practitioner pay in Helena, MT, pursuing additional certifications or engaging in telehealth opportunities can help enhance income while responding to the community’s evolving healthcare demands.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $136,420 for nurse practitionersin the Helena metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov