Vet Tech salary

Bozeman vs Great Falls: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Bozeman, MT and Great Falls, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bozeman, MT
$50,113
$24.10/hr
Great Falls, MT
$47,958
$23.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBozeman, MTGreat Falls, MT
Median Salary$50,113$47,958
Hourly Rate$24.10$23.05
Entry Level (P10)$41,746$34,774
25th Percentile$43,434$38,145
75th Percentile$54,227$59,760
Top Earner (P90)$85,655$65,942
Total Employed9012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bozeman ($50,113) and Great Falls ($47,958) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BozemanGreat FallsMedian Salary$50,113$47,958Entry Level (P10)$41,746$34,774Top Earner (P90)$85,655$65,942US Median $49,986

Verdict

Bozeman, MT offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Great Falls.

The salary gap between Bozeman and Great Falls is $2,155 (4.49%). Bozeman's median is +0.25% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bozeman spans $43,909,Great Falls spans $31,168. Bozeman has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bozeman
P10 (Entry)$41,746
P25$43,434
Median$50,113
P75$54,227
P90 (Top)$85,655
Great Falls
P10 (Entry)$34,774
P25$38,145
Median$47,958
P75$59,760
P90 (Top)$65,942

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Great Falls ($49,852 effective) pays 1.98% more than Bozeman ($48,886 effective).

Bozeman
Nominal: $50,113
CoL Index: 102.51
Adjusted: $48,886
Great Falls
Nominal: $47,958
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $49,852

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bozeman if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,113/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,655)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Great Falls if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,852)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bozeman grew 3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.7% growth in Great Falls over the same period.

Bozeman, MT

+3.4%

$45,920 (2024) → $47,500 (2025)

Great Falls, MT

+24.7%

$36,458 (2024) → $45,458 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bozeman or Great Falls?

Bozeman has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,113/year, compared to Great Falls at $47,958/year — a difference of $2,155 (4.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bozeman and Great Falls?

Bozeman veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.10/hr while Great Falls hygienists earn $23.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bozeman to Great Falls as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bozeman and Great Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bozeman = $48,886, Great Falls = $49,852), job availability (90 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bozeman vs Great Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,746 in Bozeman and $34,774 in Great Falls. The Bozeman area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov