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

Skilled trades

Montana employs 1,860 plumbers, with a statewide median of $79,960 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Montana (May 2025)

Montana median pay: $79,960 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,250
Experienced (75th percentile): $94,370
Top earners (90th percentile): $100,860
Employed in Montana: 1,860
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Montana markets:

Billings: $81,690 (360 employed)
Bozeman: $81,310 (350 employed)
Missoula: $79,750 (290 employed)
Great Falls: $77,100 (240 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 $79,960 median stretches to roughly $84,524 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)

Montana is projected to grow plumbers employment +11.6%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 200 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Montana License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Montana DLI — Board of Plumbers.

Complete a Montana registered apprenticeship, or five years (7,500 hours) under a licensed master plumber.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam (UPC and Montana law, 70% to pass).
Apply to the Montana Board of Plumbers (DLI); add a master license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Montana DLI — Board of Plumbers →

Training in Montana

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Montana licenses plumbers statewide.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Montana include:

Montana State University-Northern — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Montana?

The median wage for plumbers in Montana is $79,960 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,250, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,860. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Montana DLI — Board of Plumbers. Complete a Montana registered apprenticeship, or five years (7,500 hours) under a licensed master plumber.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Montana?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Montana metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Montana metro areas, Billings leads at $81,690, followed by Bozeman ($81,310), Missoula ($79,750). 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 a Plumber in Montana?

Real Montana options include Montana State University-Northern. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Montana?

Montana projects plumbers employment to change +11.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 200 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Montana DLI — Board of Plumbers (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.