Veterinarian Salary in Missoula, MT: $109,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Missoula, MT earns a median $109,128/year (≈ $52.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $113,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the projected median annual salary for veterinarians stands at $109,128 for 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $137,334, reflecting the local market dynamics that distinguish corporate practice from independent veterinary clinics. The salary range here varies widely, from $62,101 at the lower end (P10) to $173,541 for the highest earners (P90). These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which reveal how factors like practice type and geographic location heavily influence compensation rates. With a specialized job market defined by a blend of corporate consolidation and local independent practices, Missoula offers veterinarians varying paths for career fulfillment and financial success.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,101 | $29.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,433 | $41.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,128 | $52.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,236 | $67.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,541 | $83.43 |
Median Salary Position
20.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,440 (2026 est.). At $109,128, the local median is 20.54% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Missoula Veterinarian Pay Compares
Missoula median: $109,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $132,116 | -17.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -20.54% less |
Veterinarians in Missoula, MT earn a median of $109,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.54% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 17.40% below the Montana state average of $132,116.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula has a cost of living 3.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.445 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $109,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,151 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,700
2025 BLS Actual
$103,380
2026 Current Est.
$109,128
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,195 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 40.3% from $73,700 (2019) to $103,380 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,195 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,495 (56.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $62,101 – $86,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,433 – $109,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,128 – $140,236 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,236 – $173,541 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Missoula
With about 50 veterinarians currently employed in the area, the job market remains stable but competitive, particularly among different types of practices. The cost of living index in Missoula is relatively low at 96.445, which can soften the blow of lower veterinarian salaries compared to national averages. Among various employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which account for around 25% of the market, tend to offer more predictable pay scales and benefits than independent clinics. The significant salary variance often stems from factors like specialty board certification in areas such as surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation models, and equity in practice ownership. New graduates can leverage current signing bonuses, which range from $50,000 to $150,000 in undersupplied regions, to maximize their starting income. Understanding these local dynamics is essential for professionals looking to thrive in this veterinary landscape in Missoula, MT.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 $103,380 for veterinariansin the Missoula 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