Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Montana: $44,900 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $44,900/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,674 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($47,500), Great Falls ($45,458), Butte ($44,296).
In Montana, veterinary technologists and technicians earn an average median salary of $44,900, which is approximately 10.2% lower than the national median of $49,986. Salary variations across the state can be significant; Bozeman leads with a salary of $50,113, while Billings offers the lowest at $39,710, resulting in a gap of $10,403. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and local economic conditions. The field in Montana is regulated by state licensing requirements, which include education from an accredited program and successful passage of a state examination. Scope of practice laws also play a role in defining the responsibilities and opportunities available to technologists and technicians in veterinary settings. As of 2026, the job market is expected to see a healthy growth rate of 5.50%, indicating strong demand for these professionals in various cities. The top five cities projected for employment in 2026 include Bozeman ($50,113), Great Falls ($47,958), Butte ($46,732), Helena ($46,049), and Kalispell ($45,916). The overall outlook for veterinary technologists and technicians in Montana appears promising, with ample opportunity for career advancement and stability.
Montana Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $34,704 (lowest entry-level) to $85,655 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana veterinary technologists and technicians earn 10.17% less than the national median ($-5,086/year difference).
Montana Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Montana range from $39,197 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $68,345 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,900. The Montana median is $5,086 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $21.59/hr. Approximately 270 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,799
2025 BLS Actual
$42,559
2026 Current Est.
$44,900
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,092 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,094 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,559 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,900 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,369 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 33.8% from $31,799 (2019) to $42,559 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,369 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,570 (48.96%) 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 5.50% 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 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $47,958 | 96.2 | $49,852 |
| Bozeman | $50,113 | 102.51 | $48,886 |
| Butte | $46,732 | 96.2 | $48,578 |
| Helena | $46,049 | 96.2 | $47,868 |
| Kalispell | $45,916 | 96.2 | $47,730 |
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) | $39,197 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,900 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $68,345 |
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
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Montana cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Montana?
How does Montana veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Montana?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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.
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 5.50% 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 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute 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 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
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