Electrician Salary

Bozeman vs Butte: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Bozeman, MT
$79,888
$38.41/hr
Butte, MT
$78,164
$37.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBozeman, MTButte, MT
Median Salary$79,888$78,164
Hourly Rate$38.41$37.58
Entry Level (P10)$52,868$51,688
25th Percentile$63,212$62,527
75th Percentile$88,620$100,049
Top Earner (P90)$94,104$121,154
Total Employed4407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bozeman ($79,888) and Butte ($78,164) electrician salaries.BozemanButteMedian Salary$79,888$78,164Entry Level (P10)$52,868$51,688Top Earner (P90)$94,104$121,154US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bozeman and Butte is $1,724 (2.21%). Bozeman's median is +23.80% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bozeman spans $41,236,Butte spans $69,466. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Bozeman
P10 (Entry)$52,868
P25$63,212
Median$79,888
P75$88,620
P90 (Top)$94,104
Butte
P10 (Entry)$51,688
P25$62,527
Median$78,164
P75$100,049
P90 (Top)$121,154

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Butte ($81,252 effective) pays 4.26% more than Bozeman ($77,932 effective).

Bozeman
Nominal: $79,888
CoL Index: 102.51
Adjusted: $77,932
Butte
Nominal: $78,164
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $81,252

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 ($79,888/year)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Butte if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($121,154)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,252)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Bozeman grew 17.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.9% growth in Butte over the same period.

Bozeman, MT

+17.2%

$66,760 (2024) → $78,230 (2025)

Butte, MT

+27.9%

$59,833 (2024) → $76,541 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Bozeman or Butte?

Bozeman has a higher median electrician salary at $79,888/year, compared to Butte at $78,164/year — a difference of $1,724 (2.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bozeman and Butte?

Bozeman electricians earn $38.41/hr while Butte hygienists earn $37.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bozeman to Butte as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bozeman and Butte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bozeman = $77,932, Butte = $81,252), job availability (440 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Bozeman vs Butte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $52,868 in Bozeman and $51,688 in Butte. The Bozeman area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% 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 Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov