EMT Salary

Bozeman vs Butte: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Bozeman, MT
$44,546
$21.42/hr
Butte, MT
$43,995
$21.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBozeman, MTButte, MT
Median Salary$44,546$43,995
Hourly Rate$21.42$21.15
Entry Level (P10)$35,656$33,297
25th Percentile$38,826$38,381
75th Percentile$49,110$49,799
Top Earner (P90)$64,770$61,277
Total Employed147
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bozeman ($44,546) and Butte ($43,995) emergency medical technician salaries.BozemanButteMedian Salary$44,546$43,995Entry Level (P10)$35,656$33,297Top Earner (P90)$64,770$61,277US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bozeman and Butte is $551 (1.25%). Bozeman's median is -5.34% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bozeman spans $29,114,Butte spans $27,980. Bozeman has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bozeman
P10 (Entry)$35,656
P25$38,826
Median$44,546
P75$49,110
P90 (Top)$64,770
Butte
P10 (Entry)$33,297
P25$38,381
Median$43,995
P75$49,799
P90 (Top)$61,277

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bozeman ($46,306 effective) pays 1.25% more than Butte ($45,733 effective).

Bozeman
Nominal: $44,546
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $46,306
Butte
Nominal: $43,995
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $45,733

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 ($44,546/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,770)
  • Larger job market (14 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,306)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Butte if…

  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Bozeman grew 17.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Butte over the same period.

Bozeman, MT

+17.0%

$35,972 (2024) → $42,096 (2025)

Butte, MT

+17.0%

$35,526 (2024) → $41,575 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Bozeman or Butte?

Bozeman has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $44,546/year, compared to Butte at $43,995/year — a difference of $551 (1.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bozeman and Butte?

Bozeman emergency medical technicians earn $21.42/hr while Butte hygienists earn $21.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bozeman to Butte as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bozeman and Butte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bozeman = $46,306, Butte = $45,733), job availability (14 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $35,656 in Bozeman and $33,297 in Butte. The Bozeman area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

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