Montana — Big Sky Country
Montana's cheapest CNA program costs just $450 at St. John's United in Billings — and they refund every dollar if you work for them after certification. Big Sky Country needs CNAs and is willing to pay for them.
Program costs & details
Montana requires a minimum of 75 training hours, regulated by the DPHHS. New CNA sessions start every 6–8 weeks at most programs statewide, so you rarely have to wait long to begin. Programs cluster in Billings, Missoula, Helena, and Great Falls — with options across rural Montana as well.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's United | Billings | $450 (textbooks & materials included) | 3 weeks | Hybrid — online didactic + 36 hrs on-site clinical |
| Montana Tech — Workforce Development | Butte | ~$1,000–$1,200 | 4–6 weeks | In-person, affiliated with BSN nursing program |
| RegisteredNursing.org-listed MT Programs | Billings / Missoula | ~$1,450 | 4–6 weeks | Hybrid — online modules + weekend skills lab |
| Flathead Valley Community College | Kalispell | ~$1,000–$1,300 | 4–8 weeks | In-person |
| Employer-Sponsored Programs | Statewide | FREE (federal requirement) | Varies | On-the-job training at nursing homes & hospitals |
St. John's United in Billings offers the lowest-cost CNA program in Montana at $450 all-in — textbooks and materials included. Here's what makes it even better: if you get hired by St. John's immediately after completing the course and remain in good standing, they refund the full $450 over your first year of employment. That means if you plan to work in Billings, your CNA training is effectively free. The program runs 3 weeks — 3 weeks of online didactic work followed by 36 hours of on-site clinical training. This is the first call to make if you're in the Billings area.
2026 salary data
Montana CNA salaries average around $39,780/year or $20.13/hour statewide. Billings and Missoula pay the most, while cities like Billings offer a strong salary-to-cost-of-living ratio. Montana employs over 6,000 CNAs with steady job growth expected as the population ages.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,000–$50,000 | Largest city, Billings Clinic & St. Vincent hub — highest MT wages |
| Missoula | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,000–$50,000 | Community Medical Center, university town, strong demand |
| Great Falls | $18–$23/hr | ~$37,000–$48,000 | Benefis Health System, Malmstrom AFB community |
| Helena | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,000–$48,000 | State capital, St. Peter's Health — strong employer benefits |
| Kalispell | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,000–$50,000 | Logan Health, Glacier Country — growing healthcare market |
| Butte | $18–$22/hr | ~$37,000–$46,000 | St. James Healthcare, lower COL than Billings or Missoula |
| Rural / Remote Montana | $19–$25/hr | ~$39,000–$52,000 | Critical access hospitals — shortage incentives, often include benefits |
Sources: Talent.com (May 2026), CNAPrograms.org, NurseGroups.com. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Montana's LPN programs run 11–12 months and the median LPN salary is $51,640/year — a strong jump from CNA wages. Billings Clinic and Providence St. Patrick both offer tuition assistance for CNAs pursuing LPN credentials.
75 hours minimum. Headmaster (D&S Diversified) competency exam. DPHHS BOUNDS application. 3–8 weeks.
Programs at Miles Community College, Salish Kootenai College, and others. ~11–12 months. Median MT LPN salary: $51,640/year.
Montana Tech's Sherry Lesar School of Nursing — ranked #1 BSN program in Montana. Carroll College and University of Montana also offer nursing programs.
Billings Clinic and SCL Health (St. Vincent) both offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN and RN credentials. Montana Tech's Sherry Lesar School of Nursing is ranked the top BSN program in the state — and Montana Tech's workforce development division offers the CNA program as a direct pipeline into their nursing degrees. Ask your employer about education benefits in your first week on the job.
For moms in Montana
Big Sky Country is calling