Veterinarian Salary in Butte, MT: $128,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Butte, MT earns a median $128,393/year (≈ $61.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $133,465 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the projected veterinarian salary for 2026 stands at $128,393, reflecting a competitive market despite a slight decrease compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range varies significantly, with bottom earners making around $74,467 while the top tier can reach up to $199,009. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, underscore the structural divide between corporate and independent practices in the region. Corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl influence pay scales considerably, potentially offering better financial packages than smaller, independent clinics. This dynamic shapes the earnings landscape for veterinarians in Butte, impacting job opportunities and career choices.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($114,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,467 | $35.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,397 | $49.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,393 | $61.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,333 | $79.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,009 | $95.68 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,542 (2026 est.). At $128,393, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Veterinarian Pay Compares
Butte median: $128,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $132,091 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.51% less |
Veterinarians in Butte, MT earn a median of $128,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $132,091.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,393 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,465 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,245
2025 BLS Actual
$121,630
2026 Current Est.
$128,393
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,245 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,788 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,537 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,346 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,531 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $89,245 (2019) to $121,630 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,531 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,286 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $74,467 – $102,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,397 – $128,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,393 – $164,333 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,333 – $199,009 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Butte
With only seven veterinarians employed locally, the job market in Butte is relatively tight, exacerbating the effects of the region's cost of living index of 96.2, which is below the national average. Lower living expenses could enhance purchasing power, potentially making local salaries more favorable in real terms. Among various practice types, specialty veterinarians with board certifications tend to command higher salaries, distinctly separating themselves from general practitioners in terms of pay. Factors influencing income variability include production-based compensation models, ownership equity, and available sign-on bonuses. For those entering the field, focusing on gaining specialty credentials or seeking employment at larger corporate chains can be effective strategies for maximizing the veterinarian pay in Butte MT.
More salary data for Butte, 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 $121,630 for veterinariansin the Butte 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
Salary data for Butte is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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