Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $52.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Missoula, MT runs $52.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,128 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,474 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The compensation landscape for veterinarians in Missoula, MT is characterized by a median hourly pay of $52.46, which is notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This disparity may impact part-time veterinarians who work a schedule of three days a week, offering them the opportunity to balance work with personal obligations while earning a competitive hourly wage. Entry-level veterinarians can expect to earn around $29.86 per hour, while experienced practitioners, particularly those in specialized fields or managerial roles, can command up to $83.43 per hour. Various work settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals, contribute to this variation in pay, highlighting the diverse opportunities available within the veterinary field.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.86 | $238.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.55 | $332.39 |
| Median (P50) | $52.46 | $419.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.42 | $539.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.43 | $667.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $52.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.46/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $109,124 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,956. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,098.53 | $9,094 | $109,124 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,259.12 | $5,456 | $65,474 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $839.41 | $3,637 | $43,649 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Missoula) | $52.46 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Missoula, MT earn a median of $109,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.54% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 17.40% below the Montana state average of $132,116.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.46/hr = $65,474/year (purchasing power: $67,888).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,124/year (purchasing power: $113,146).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Missoula grew 40.3% from $35.43/hr (2019) to $49.70/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinarian in Missoula
Exploring the potential earnings of part-time veterinarians reveals that working just 24 hours a week could yield substantial annual income, though not equivalent to full-time salaries. Per diem veterinarian pay in Missoula reflects a robust market where relief veterinarians can charge anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour in general practices, and specialty relief roles might fetch between $150 and $250 per hour, depending on the urgency and complexity of the job. The hourly rates vary across different employer sectors: corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl dominate the small animal practice market, while independent clinics and large animal practices present differing pay scales. Many veterinarians may choose positions with lower hourly pay for the sake of benefits such as health insurance, a trade-off in a profession that is experiencing a trend toward corporate consolidation, influenced by larger entities reshaping pay structures and opportunities for ownership. When negotiating hourly rates, veterinarians in Missoula should consider the unique demands of their specialty, the cost of living in the area, and the evolving landscape of veterinary practice, informed by insights from organizations like the AVMA and specialty boards.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Missoula. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov