Electrician in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Montana employs 2,750 electricians, with a statewide median of $76,760 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $76,760 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $49,130
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $81,420
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $89,510
- Employed in Montana
- 2,750
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Montana markets:
- Billings
- $80,980 (510 employed)
- Missoula
- $79,250 (280 employed)
- Helena
- $78,760 (240 employed)
- Bozeman
- $78,230 (440 employed)
- Great Falls
- $76,960 (170 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $76,760 median stretches to roughly $81,142 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to grow electricians employment +18.6%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 350 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
Journeyman Electrician license — regulated by the Montana DLI — State Electrical Board.
- Complete a State Electrical Board-approved apprenticeship, or document at least 8,000 hours of practical electrical experience.
- Pass the journeyman electrician exam.
- Apply to the Montana State Electrical Board (DLI); advance to a master license to run your own jobs.
Official requirements: Montana DLI — State Electrical Board →
Training in Montana
IBEW/IEC apprenticeships are the earn-while-you-learn route to the 8,000 hours. Montana licenses electricians statewide; renew with 16 CE hours every two years.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Montana include:
- Flathead Valley Community College — Certificate / Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Montana?
The median wage for electricians in Montana is $76,760 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $89,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Montana?
Journeyman Electrician license, overseen by the Montana DLI — State Electrical Board. Complete a State Electrical Board-approved apprenticeship, or document at least 8,000 hours of practical electrical experience.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Montana?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Montana metros pay electricians the most?
Among Montana metro areas, Billings leads at $80,980, followed by Missoula ($79,250), Helena ($78,760). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Montana?
Real Montana options include Flathead Valley Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Montana?
Montana projects electricians employment to change +18.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 350 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Montana DLI — State Electrical Board (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Montana wages · Montana licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.