How to Become an Auto Body Repair Technician in Montana (2026)
Montana employs about 500 auto body repair technicians earning a median $57,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Auto Body Repair Technician here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.
Montana employs approximately 500 auto body repair technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,500 1. Nationally, auto body repair technician employment is projected to grow 1.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Auto Body Repair Technician in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
- Exam: ASE or OEM certification
- Median wage (Montana): $57,500 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Auto Body Repair Technician in Montana
How to become an Auto Body Repair Technician in Montana? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Montana? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.
What do auto body repair technicians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for auto body repair technicians in Montana is $57,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,830 and experienced professionals can earn $72,850 or more 1.
How to Become an Auto Body Repair Technician in Montana
- Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
- Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Auto Body Repair Technician License Requirements in Montana
Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.
Typical path
Complete a specialty program.
Earn ASE or OEM credentials.
Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.
Auto Body Repair Technician Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Automotive Body and Related Repairers Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), automotive body and related repairers wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 130 | $58,960 | $59,730 | $36,270 | $122,970 |
| Bozeman | 50 | $60,960 | $60,550 | $36,400 | $71,720 |
| Helena | 50 | $35,980 | $44,020 | $23,750 | $59,520 |
| Missoula | 40 | $48,710 | $53,230 | $35,770 | $60,300 |
| Great Falls | 30 | $52,160 | $55,780 | $34,830 | $87,090 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for auto body repair technicians in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 500 auto body repair technicians 1. Nationally, auto body repair technician employment is projected to grow 1.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Montana.
How much do auto body repair technicians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto body repair technicians in Montana is $57,500, which is $5,820 above the national median of $51,680 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |