Veterinarian Salary in Montana: $105,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $105,407/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,571 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Great Falls ($124,821), Butte ($121,630), Helena ($119,852).
For veterinarians considering a career in Montana, the projected average median salary for 2026 is $105,407, which is significantly lower than the national median of $137,334, marking a difference of -23.2%. Among Montana's metro areas, Great Falls ranks as the highest-paying city at $131,761, while Billings offers the lowest average salary at $98,319. This $33,442 gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and varying regional economic conditions. Montana has specific requirements for state licensing and regulations governing the scope of practice for veterinarians. These factors can influence salary levels and job availability. The veterinary job market in Montana is currently showing a growth rate of 5.56% annually, aligning with national trends regarding increased demand for veterinary care, especially in rural areas. Other cities with strong salary projections include Butte at $128,393, Helena at $126,516, Kalispell at $126,149, and Missoula at $109,128. Collectively, these figures portray a solid job market that is forecasted to grow, making it an essential consideration for professionals entering or advancing their careers in veterinary medicine in Montana.
Montana Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $58,786 (lowest entry-level) to $205,747 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana veterinarians earn 23.25% less than the national median ($-31,927/year difference).
Montana Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Montana range from $64,608 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $189,170 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,407. The Montana median is $31,927 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $50.68/hr. Approximately 270 veterinarians are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,889
2025 BLS Actual
$99,855
2026 Current Est.
$105,407
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,811 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,785 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 25.0% from $79,889 (2019) to $99,855 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,379 (39.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $131,761 | 96.2 | $136,966 |
| Butte | $128,393 | 96.2 | $133,465 |
| Helena | $126,516 | 96.2 | $131,514 |
| Kalispell | $126,149 | 96.2 | $131,132 |
| Missoula | $109,128 | 96.445 | $113,151 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,608 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $105,407 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $189,170 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Montana?
How does Montana veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Montana?
How many veterinarians are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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