Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Bozeman, MT: $49.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Bozeman, MT runs $49.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Bozeman's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,706 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, the 2026 median veterinarian hourly pay is projected at $49.44, considerably lower than the national hourly median of $66.03. This discrepancy reflects the local market's dynamics and can have significant implications for both part-time veterinarians working around three days a week and per-diem professionals in various settings, such as general practice exam rooms or specialty referral hospitals. The hourly pay range in Bozeman varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $32.58 and top earners potentially reaching $98.92. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows a wide spectrum of earnings that indicates potential for growth and upward mobility within this profession across various practices, including private clinics, university teaching hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.58 | $260.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.19 | $313.56 |
| Median (P50) | $49.44 | $395.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.95 | $535.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.92 | $791.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bozeman
Based on $49.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.44/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bozeman, MT can expect to earn approximately $102,844 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,333. With a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bozeman.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bozeman
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,977.77 | $8,570 | $102,844 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,186.66 | $5,142 | $61,706 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.11 | $3,428 | $41,138 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Bozeman) | $49.44 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $102,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.11% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 22.20% below the Montana state average of $132,194.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.44/hr = $61,706/year (purchasing power: $60,196).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,844/year (purchasing power: $100,326).
CoL index: 102.51 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Bozeman grew 36.3% from $34.37/hr (2019) to $46.84/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.19/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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.
Working as an Hourly Veterinarian in Bozeman
Income realities for veterinarians can differ markedly based on work arrangements. A veterinarian working part-time, about 24 hours a week, typically earns considerably less annually than a full-time counterpart, impacting overall financial stability. Per diem veterinarians in Bozeman can command higher hourly rates, often ranging from $90 to $140 for general practices, and specialty relief roles may result in earnings of $150 to $250 per hour, particularly for high-demand areas like surgery and emergency care. Hourly compensation also varies widely depending on practice type; corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl may offer structured pay scales, while independent practices might afford less secure but potentially higher earnings. While some veterinarians might trade off lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others may seek relief work for the flexibility and substantial compensation. For locals in Bozeman, negotiating effectively for hourly pay can ensure not just fair compensation but also an alignment with personal career and lifestyle goals.
More salary data for Bozeman, 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
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 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Bozeman. 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, 2-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