Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Butte, MT: $46,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Butte, MT earns a median $46,732/year (≈ $22.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $48,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, MT, the 2026 median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $46,732, reflecting a competitive landscape in a market with a salary range from $34,704 at the lower end to $61,828 at the upper end. These figures indicate that while the local pay is somewhat below the national median of $49,986, there is still significant earning potential for those pursuing or holding VTS specialty credentials, especially in critical care (VTS-ECC) or anesthesia. With a small number of employed professionals in the area, the pathways to increased compensation are clear: specialization and gaining advanced healthcare skills can enhance marketability and salary prospects in both private practices and corporate veterinary chains.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,704 | $16.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,233 | $18.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,732 | $22.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,047 | $27.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,828 | $29.73 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,124 (2026 est.). At $46,732, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Butte median: $46,732/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $48,078 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -6.51% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Butte, MT earn a median of $46,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $48,078.
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 veterinary technologist and technician earning $46,732 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,021
2025 BLS Actual
$44,296
2026 Current Est.
$46,732
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,451 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,526 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,296 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,303 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $33,021 (2019) to $44,296 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,282 (49.31%) 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 5.50% 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) | $34,704 – $39,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,233 – $46,732 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,732 – $57,047 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,047 – $61,828 |
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 Butte
Currently, Butte has a limited workforce in this field, with only seven veterinary technologists and technicians reported as employed. The lower cost-of-living index of 96.2 means that take-home pay can stretch further in this community, even if it falls behind national averages. In terms of compensation, corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl can offer higher pay scales compared to general practice settings. The salaries within specialty hospitals are typically the highest, thanks to the demand for advanced skills, while general practices may not match those figures. Professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Butte should consider pursuing specialization and exploring shifts in emergency or critical care facilities, where shift differentials frequently enhance overall income.
More salary data for Butte, 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 $44,296 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Butte 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
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 5.50%, 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