Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $39.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Great Falls, MT runs $39.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,447 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,469 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to be $39.64 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.39. This discrepancy can significantly impact both part-time and per-diem nurses, as many work in demanding settings such as emergency departments, intensive care units, and outpatient clinics. For a part-time nurse working three days a week, the expected income can make a meaningful impact on their lifestyle, but it may not fully reflect the high stakes and responsibilities of their role. The hourly rates in Great Falls show a range from $34.57 for entry-level positions to $49.75 for the top earners. This official BLS data reflects the compensation landscape for RNs in various healthcare environments across the region.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.57 | $276.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.69 | $309.53 |
| Median (P50) | $39.64 | $317.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.98 | $375.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.75 | $397.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $39.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.64/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $82,448 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,566. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,585.55 | $6,871 | $82,448 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $951.33 | $4,122 | $49,469 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $634.22 | $2,748 | $32,979 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Great Falls) | $39.64 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $82,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.74% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.90% below the Montana state average of $86,695.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.64/hr = $49,469/year (purchasing power: $51,081).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,448/year (purchasing power: $85,134).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Great Falls grew 15.5% from $32.58/hr (2019) to $37.64/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.74/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Examining the earning potential of a registered nurse in Great Falls reveals the financial realities for both full-time and part-time positions. A nurse working 24 hours a week can expect to take home considerably less annually than a full-time colleague, which highlights the financial pressures faced by part-time practitioners. Those opting for per diem opportunities might see a different scenario, with reported rates ranging from $50-$80 per hour based on their specialty, making this an appealing choice for many. Travel nursing remains a lucrative avenue, with contracts offering $2,000-$4,500 per week, and in crisis situations, rates can escalate to $5,000-$8,000, particularly for ICU roles. Employers vary in their payment structures; hospitals often provide benefits that may lower the hourly wage but offer health insurance and retirement plans, while ambulatory clinics may prioritize higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiating effectively in Great Falls can hinge on understanding these dynamics, particularly on shifts and specialty demands, allowing RNs to better advocate for themselves in a fluid employment market.
More salary data for Great Falls, 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 Great Falls. 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