Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Billings, MT: $39,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Billings, MT earns a median $39,710/year (≈ $19.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $42,459 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the projected compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is set at a median annual salary of $39,710, which falls notably below the national median of $49,986. The salary spectrum in this area ranges from $38,180 to $58,447, reflecting the diversity in employment settings and specialization levels. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data projects that while Billings offers opportunities, salaries may lag due to the predominance of general practice clinics compared to specialty hospitals, where the latter typically command higher wages. Thus, veterinary professionals in Billings must weigh job settings carefully to optimize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,141 | $18.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,710 | $19.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,368 | $24.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,447 | $28.09 |
Median Salary Position
20.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,267 (2026 est.). At $39,710, the local median is 20.56% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Billings Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Billings median: $39,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $48,075 | -17.40% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -20.56% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Billings, MT earn a median of $39,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.56% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 17.40% below the Montana state average of $48,075.
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 veterinary technologist and technician earning $39,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,459 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,970
2025 BLS Actual
$37,640
2026 Current Est.
$39,710
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,894 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 25.6% from $29,970 (2019) to $37,640 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,894 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,924 (39.79%) 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 5.50% 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) | $38,180 – $39,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,141 – $39,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,710 – $51,368 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,368 – $58,447 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Billings
With around 110 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Billings, the local job market demonstrates a steady demand for skilled professionals amid a national workforce shortage. The cost of living index for the area stands at 93.526, suggesting that living expenses are generally below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power for those in the field. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals, particularly in areas like emergency care and internal medicine, tend to pay the most, while corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl provide structured pay scales that can influence overall compensation. Factors such as advanced certifications, including the VTS specialty credential, can significantly elevate income potential, with top professionals fetching hourly rates of $30-$45 or higher. To maximize pay, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should consider specializing and seeking positions in 24-hour emergency hospitals, which often offer shift differentials and mentorship roles that can supplement base salaries.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $37,640 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Billings metropolitan area. A 5.50% 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 5.50%, 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