Billings vs Butte: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)
Compare emergency medical 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 | $40,815 | $43,995▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $19.62 | $21.15▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,418▲ | $33,297 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,577▲ | $38,381 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,947 | $49,799▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $51,079 | $61,277▲ |
| Total Employed | 40▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Butte, MT offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Billings.
The salary gap between Billings and Butte is $3,180 (7.79%). Butte's median is -6.51% compared to the US national median of $47,058.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $17,661,Butte spans $27,980. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Butte ($45,733 effective) pays 4.80% more than Billings ($43,640 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Billings if…
- ✓Larger job market (40 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Choose Butte if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($43,995/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($61,277)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,733)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Billings grew 9.5% from 2023 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Butte over the same period.
Billings, MT
$35,220 (2023) → $38,570 (2025)
Butte, MT
$35,526 (2024) → $41,575 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Billings, MT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Billings or Butte?
What is the hourly rate difference between Billings and Butte?
Should I relocate from Billings to Butte as a emergency medical technician?
What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Billings vs Butte?
Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% 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 Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov