Veterinarian Salary in Billings, MT: $98,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Billings, MT earns a median $98,319/year (≈ $47.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $105,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.6% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Billings, Montana, command a median annual salary of $98,319, as calculated from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected into 2026. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting around $58,786 and experienced professionals earning as much as $176,011. These figures indicate a significant production-based compensation model in the region, where veterinarians often see their pay linked to the revenue they generate. With corporate consolidation reshaping the veterinary market, it’s crucial for practitioners in Billings to understand how this dynamic influences their compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,786 | $28.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,542 | $31.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,319 | $47.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,607 | $62.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,011 | $84.63 |
Median Salary Position
28.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,225 (2026 est.). At $98,319, the local median is 28.41% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Veterinarian Pay Compares
Billings median: $98,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $132,149 | -25.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -28.41% less |
Veterinarians in Billings, MT earn a median of $98,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.41% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 25.60% below the Montana state average of $132,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $98,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,540
2025 BLS Actual
$93,140
2026 Current Est.
$98,319
2019–2027 Growth
+11.0%
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 | $93,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew -0.4% from $93,540 (2019) to $93,140 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,245 (10.95%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,786 – $65,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,542 – $98,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,319 – $129,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,607 – $176,011 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Billings
The job market in Billings, MT, currently employs approximately 90 veterinarians, providing a tight-knit community where opportunities abound, particularly in specific practice areas. The cost of living index in Billings is 93.526, suggesting that residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to national standards, which can enhance disposable income. Among various employers, large animal and mixed practices tend to offer superior pay, alongside corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl that make up about 25% of the market. This disparity in earnings largely arises from factors such as board certification in specialties versus general practice, and the differences in compensation structures between corporate and independent practices. For veterinarians seeking to maximize their salary in Billings, considering roles that offer production-based incentives or partnership opportunities could be advantageous, especially in high-demand specialties where sign-on bonuses range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates.
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $93,140 for veterinariansin the Billings metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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