Entry-Level Veterinarian Salary in Billings, MT: $58,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:New veterinarians entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,786 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,855 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($98,319) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the veterinary field in Billings, Montana, can expect an entry-level salary that begins around $58,786, which falls significantly below the city’s median annual veterinarian salary of $98,319. This gap highlights the financial trajectory that new veterinarians can expect as they gain experience; realistically, many will see their earnings rise to approximately $65,542 within the first few years. Given the expected annual growth rate of 5.56%, the market in Billings offers promising opportunities for recent graduates to advance their salaries and gain valuable experience in a supportive environment. As one of Montana's larger cities, Billings provides a diverse range of employment prospects that can enhance career growth for young veterinarians.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Entry-level veterinarians in Billings, MT typically start between $58,786 and $65,542 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,225 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $98,319 — 28.41% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average veterinary medicine program cost in Montana of $195,000 represents just 331.71% of the starting veterinarian pay ($58,786/year) in Billings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AVMA Council on Education (COE)-accredited DVM program data from AAVMC cost comparison tool and state veterinary college reports. Tuition-only totals for the 4-year DVM curriculum; resident vs. non-resident rates vary substantially.
DVM Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level veterinarian pay ranges from $58,786 to $65,542, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the veterinary medicine field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Veterinarian Compensation Range
The veterinarian wage spread in Billings is $117,225 ( 199.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,786, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,011.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,970
2025 BLS Actual
$55,690
2026 Current Est.
$58,786
2019–2027 Growth
+-5.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,055 | Projected |
Entry-level veterinarian compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew -15.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,970 in 2019 to $55,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,055. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your veterinary medicine Career in Billings
In Billings, various employers actively seek to hire new graduates, particularly corporate veterinary chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which often provide structured mentorship programs and attractive sign-on bonuses. Independent practices might appeal to those seeking quicker autonomy, but new graduates may face a less organized training environment. Additionally, new veterinarians aiming to enhance their credentials for higher initial pay levels should focus on obtaining their DVM or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited institution alongside passing the NAVLE. Engaging in a one-year rotating internship may propel their career towards specialized fields, where board-certified veterinarians such as DACVS or DACVIM can earn significantly higher salaries—possibly 2-3 times more than general practitioners. For first-year veterinarians in Billings, realistic salary growth would stem from a combination of acquiring experience, pursuing additional certifications, and adjusting to the corporate consolidation trends impacting the veterinary sector today.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new veterinary medicine graduates. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov