Billings vs Butte: Pharmacist Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacist salaries between Billings, MT and Butte, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Billings, MT | Butte, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $144,680▲ | $140,604 |
| Hourly Rate | $69.56▲ | $67.59 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $126,381▲ | $97,305 |
| 25th Percentile | $135,719▲ | $131,882 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,645▲ | $162,192 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $166,787 | $172,793▲ |
| Total Employed | 240▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Billings, MT offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Butte.
The salary gap between Billings and Butte is $4,076 (2.90%). Billings's median is +0.83% compared to the US national median of $143,489.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $40,406,Butte spans $75,488. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Billings ($154,695 effective) pays 5.84% more than Butte ($146,158 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Billings if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($144,680/year)
- ✓Larger job market (240 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,695)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Choose Butte if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($172,793)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Billings grew 15.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.4% growth in Butte over the same period.
Billings, MT
$122,700 (2019) → $142,080 (2025)
Butte, MT
$119,666 (2024) → $138,077 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Billings, MT
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov