Billings vs Butte: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacy technician 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 | $51,476▲ | $50,322 |
| Hourly Rate | $24.75▲ | $24.20 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,605▲ | $39,115 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,880▲ | $42,559 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,755 | $55,280▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $62,041 | $66,614▲ |
| Total Employed | 290▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Billings, MT offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Butte.
The salary gap between Billings and Butte is $1,154 (2.29%). Billings's median is +6.71% compared to the US national median of $48,239.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $21,436,Butte spans $27,499. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Billings ($55,039 effective) pays 5.22% more than Butte ($52,310 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 ($51,476/year)
- ✓Larger job market (290 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,039)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Choose Butte if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($66,614)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Billings grew 29.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.6% growth in Butte over the same period.
Billings, MT
$37,720 (2019) → $48,820 (2025)
Butte, MT
$37,396 (2024) → $47,726 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Billings, MT
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% 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 Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov