Agriculture & Environment Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Park Ranger Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median park ranger salary in Great Falls, MT is $37,400 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$37,400
vs State Avg
$-2,975
vs National
$-5,100
Cost of Living
88%

Park Ranger Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median park ranger salary of $37,400, which is $2,975 below the Montana state average of $40,375. Compared to the national median of $42,500, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $37,400 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $42,500 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for park rangers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for park rangers in Great Falls spans from $24,640 at the 10th percentile to $63,360 at the 90th percentile — a $38,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,400, while senior park rangers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $59,840. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Park Ranger Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level park ranger earns around $26,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $59,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,400
$-3,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,720
$-5,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$59,840
$-8,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $24,640
25th Percentile $29,920
Median (50th) $37,400
75th Percentile $51,040
90th Percentile $63,360

Park Ranger Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$48,875
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$43,350
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$40,800
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$39,950
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Park Ranger in Great Falls

Education

Most park ranger positions require a bachelor's degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

ConservationLaw EnforcementPublic EducationWildlife ManagementEmergency ResponseOutdoor Skills

Job Outlook

Nationally, park ranger employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Park Ranger Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open park ranger positions in Great Falls, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Park Ranger Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Park Ranger make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median park ranger salary in Great Falls, Montana is $37,400 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $42,500. Salaries range from $24,640 (10th percentile) to $63,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Park Ranger make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,400, a park ranger in Great Falls earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for park ranger pay? ▼
Great Falls's median park ranger salary of $37,400 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $40,375. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a park ranger salary of $37,400 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a park ranger in Great Falls? ▼
Most park ranger positions in Great Falls require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Conservation, Law Enforcement, Public Education, Wildlife Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.