The Human Resources Department shall establish the rate of pay for all positions in accordance with Missoula County policy and in accordance with parameters established by the Board of County Commissioners. In May 2020 the commissioners established the County’s Compensation Philosophy.

The County’s philosophy is provided to support a total compensation system that attracts, motivates, and retains skilled and knowledgeable employees who deliver courteous and efficient service. A quality compensation plan supports our mission to provide quality public service to protect and enhance the well-being of the people, communities, and environment of Missoula County. At the County, we strive to be a trusted community leader so people can thrive and realize individual potential and provide a compensation plan that will enable such actions as follows:

• Provide a living wage for County employees.
• Ensure internal equity and appropriate pay relationships based on job content.
• Provide a quality benefit program that supports employee retention and encourages employees and their families to be healthy and productive.
• Safeguard compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Achieve and maintain competitive wage rates that reflect the relevant labor market and are fiscally responsible.
• Provide flexibility for departments to develop systems that retain, motivate, and reward employees based on department needs and capabilities.
• Recognize and encourage innovation, teamwork, loyalty, and institutional knowledge.
• Provide a compensation structure and pay practices that is transparent to supervisors and employees.
• Responsibly manage financial assets and ensure the County compensation system is sustainable.

Employees are paid their regular hourly rate of pay for all hours worked up to 40 in a work week. Except as provided in Section 214.30 of the Federal Labor Standards Act, exempt employees shall not be paid for more than 40 hours in one week.

A pay plan will be maintained that consists of a schedule of pay ranges covering all positions not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, an individual employment contract, or by statute. Each pay range will include minimum and maximum rates of pay. Assignment of positions to a pay range shall be handled in accordance with provisions of Section 700.00, Job Description and Job Classification of the Missoula County Human Resource policy.

The County may adjust the pay plan based on budget availability. The plan does not imply or guarantee any specific pay rate, but rather, establishes “targets” to which Missoula County will aspire within budget authority and Commission approval. Missoula County cannot guarantee future adjustments due to budget variations. Missoula County retains the right to change the provisions of its pay plan or to alter or discontinue any pay adjustments indicated by the plan.

Many employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements, or unions. Pay matrices and bargaining agreements can be found by clicking here.

Non union positions and pay grades are listed below.

The salaries and compensation for elected officials are determined by Montana state law. All elected officials start with a uniform base salary and are allowed certain increases depending on longevity or position. 

Per state law, a county compensation board must be established each year to determine salary levels for elected officials for the next fiscal year. The board holds hearings annually for the purpose of reviewing the compensation paid to county officers. The board may consider the compensation paid to comparable officials in other Montana counties, other states, state government, federal government, and private enterprise.

The Missoula County compensation board consists of all county commissioners, the county attorney, the clerk and recorder/treasurer, the clerk of district court, the auditor, the superintendent of schools and three taxpayers.

Click here to see a survey from the Montana Association of Counties of elected official salaries from 2024. If you're looking for current elected official pay, please submit a public records request.