Billings vs Butte: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist 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 | $86,956 | $95,149▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $41.80 | $45.75▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,422▲ | $59,771 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,209▲ | $77,271 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,290 | $111,829▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $116,885 | $129,330▲ |
| Total Employed | 110▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Butte, MT offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Billings.
The salary gap between Billings and Butte is $8,193 (9.42%). Butte's median is -6.51% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $52,463,Butte spans $69,559. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Butte ($98,907 effective) pays 6.38% more than Billings ($92,975 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 (110 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Choose Butte if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($95,149/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($129,330)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,907)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Billings grew 9.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Butte over the same period.
Billings, MT
$76,210 (2020) → $83,620 (2025)
Butte, MT
$76,661 (2024) → $91,498 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Billings, MT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Billings or Butte?
What is the hourly rate difference between Billings and Butte?
Should I relocate from Billings to Butte as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Billings vs Butte?
Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP
Career Analyst
Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% 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 Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov