SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — East-Central Montana
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in East-Central Montana, MT is $29,900 a year, trailing the national median of $38,150 by 21.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in East-Central Montana, MT is $29,900 a year, trailing the national median of $38,150 by 21.6%. Half of workers earn between $29,400 and $37,320. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,120 and the ninetieth at $44,770.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.2 of every thousand jobs. Bozeman leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $42,740. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 242nd of 260 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,120 | −23.7% |
| 25th | $29,400 | −22.9% |
| Median (50th) | $29,900 | −21.6% |
| 75th | $37,320 | −2.2% |
| 90th | $44,770 | +17.4% |
| Mean | $34,890 | −8.5% |
Other metro areas in Montana
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East-Central Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $29,900 goes as far as $31,607 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,607US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,900 a year, 21.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,120 to $44,770 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $42,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in East-Central Montana, MT?
The median annual wage is $29,900, or $14.37 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $38,150, so pay in East-Central Montana, MT is 21.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in East-Central Montana, MT earns more than $44,770 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,120 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bozeman, at $42,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in East-Central Montana, MT. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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