Pharmacy Tech Pay

Bozeman vs Butte: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Bozeman, MT and Butte, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bozeman, MT
$57,728
$27.75/hr
Butte, MT
$50,322
$24.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBozeman, MTButte, MT
Median Salary$57,728$50,322
Hourly Rate$27.75$24.20
Entry Level (P10)$46,889$39,115
25th Percentile$50,759$42,559
75th Percentile$62,663$55,280
Top Earner (P90)$64,023$66,614
Total Employed1307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bozeman ($57,728) and Butte ($50,322) pharmacy technician salaries.BozemanButteMedian Salary$57,728$50,322Entry Level (P10)$46,889$39,115Top Earner (P90)$64,023$66,614US Median $48,239

Verdict

Bozeman, MT offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Butte.

The salary gap between Bozeman and Butte is $7,406 (14.72%). Bozeman's median is +19.67% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bozeman spans $17,134,Butte spans $27,499. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Bozeman
P10 (Entry)$46,889
P25$50,759
Median$57,728
P75$62,663
P90 (Top)$64,023
Butte
P10 (Entry)$39,115
P25$42,559
Median$50,322
P75$55,280
P90 (Top)$66,614

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bozeman ($56,315 effective) pays 7.66% more than Butte ($52,310 effective).

Bozeman
Nominal: $57,728
CoL Index: 102.51
Adjusted: $56,315
Butte
Nominal: $50,322
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $52,310

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bozeman if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,728/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,315)
  • 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 Bozeman grew 12.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.6% growth in Butte over the same period.

Bozeman, MT

+12.3%

$48,760 (2024) → $54,750 (2025)

Butte, MT

+27.6%

$37,396 (2024) → $47,726 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Bozeman or Butte?

Bozeman has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $57,728/year, compared to Butte at $50,322/year — a difference of $7,406 (14.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bozeman and Butte?

Bozeman pharmacy technicians earn $27.75/hr while Butte hygienists earn $24.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bozeman to Butte as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bozeman and Butte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bozeman = $56,315, Butte = $52,310), job availability (130 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Bozeman vs Butte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $46,889 in Bozeman and $39,115 in Butte. The Bozeman area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

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