Millwright in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Montana employs 70 millwrights, with a statewide median of $60,050 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Montana (May 2025)

Montana median pay: $60,050 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $52,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $62,120
Top earners (90th percentile): $73,890
Employed in Montana: 70
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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 $60,050 median stretches to roughly $63,478 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)

Montana is projected to shrink millwrights employment -3.6%, slower than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Montana License and Certification Requirements

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship — regulated by the No Montana state license — union apprenticeship path.

Montana does not license millwrights.
Apply to a UBC Millwrights regional apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn, ~4 years).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction in precision machinery installation and alignment.

Official requirements: No Montana state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Montana

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Montana's mining, refining, and processing facilities hire; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Montana include:

Flathead Valley Community College — Certificate / Associate
The University of Montana — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like mechanical puzzles, want solid union wages, and are comfortable with industrial environments.

Think twice if: Heavy lifting, industrial noise, and working around large moving machinery sounds miserable rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

First Steps

Contact the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright division or check local industrial union apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do millwrights make in Montana?

The median wage for millwrights in Montana is $60,050 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $73,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Millwright in Montana?

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship, overseen by the No Montana state license — union apprenticeship path. Montana does not license millwrights.

Is being a Millwright a good career in Montana?

Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

Where can I train to become a Millwright in Montana?

Real Montana options include Flathead Valley Community College, The University of Montana. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Montana?

Montana projects millwrights employment to change -3.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a declining 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 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Montana state license — union apprenticeship path (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.