Veterinarian salary in Montana
Veterinarians in Montana earn a median of $99,390 a year ($47.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,190 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $130,100. Montana ranks 46th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.99 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $112,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| 25th percentile | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Median | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| 75th percentile | $130,870 | $62.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $183,190 | $88.07 |
| Average (mean) | $112,730 | $54.20 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,282.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,141.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,822.69 |
| Weekly | $1,911.35 |
| Hourly | $47.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $103,380 | 50 |
| Bozeman, MT | $97,430 | 100 |
| Billings, MT | $93,140 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,210 | $65.97 |
| Pharmacist | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Physician Assistant | $141,470 | $68.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $438,850 | $210.99 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $330,760 | $159.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $88,990 | $42.79 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Dentists, General | $167,200 | $80.39 |
| Chiropractor | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,580 | $34.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Montana?
The median salary for veterinarians in Montana is $99,390 a year, or $47.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Montana?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Montana earn at least $183,190 a year. The top 25% earn $130,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,390 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $66,830 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Montana?
About 510 veterinarians are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.