Do auto mechanics need a license in Montana?

No statewide license is required for auto mechanics in Montana. Most employers expect industry certifications such as ASE or OEM certification.

What apprenticeships are available for auto mechanics in Montana?

In Montana, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Montana (2026)

Q: How long does auto mechanic training take in Montana?

Most people become an Auto Mechanic in Montana through a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Q: How much do auto mechanics earn in Montana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), auto mechanics in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,740. Employment concentration in Montana is about 1.25 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in Montana?

Montana currently employs approximately 2,900 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana automotive service technicians and mechanics earn a median annual wage of $58,740 ($28.24/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,900 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 16.0% above the national median of $50,620 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,740 ($28.24/hr)
25th percentile: $47,230 per year
75th percentile: $72,270 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $78,460 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,170 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 2,900
Versus national median: 16.0% above the U.S. median of $50,620
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.25 - this occupation is more concentrated in Montana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Montana employs about 2,900 auto mechanics earning a median $58,740 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Auto Mechanic here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Compare Auto Mechanic Schools in Montana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	College of Eastern Idaho	66.6	$3,390 in-state / $6,750 out-of-state	$55,123	39%	Yes*	243 mi
2	Brigham Young University-Idaho	65.8	$4,800	$56,787	55%	Yes*	217 mi
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3	Miles Community College	65.0	$5,818 in-state / $10,626 out-of-state	$43,022	62%	Yes*	247 mi
4	Helena College University of Montana	50.2	$4,146 in-state / $11,318 out-of-state	$50,913	33%	Yes*	54 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	North Idaho College	46.4	$3,396 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state	$50,312	38%	Yes*	277 mi
6	Highlands College of Montana Tech	40.9	$4,130 in-state / $10,950 out-of-state	$79,369	45%	—	100 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Fort Peck Community College	33.2	$2,250	$31,073	17%	—	283 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Montana employs approximately 2,900 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,740 ¹. The state’s concentration of auto mechanic jobs is 1.25x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an Auto Mechanic 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): $58,740 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Montana

How to become an Auto Mechanic 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 mechanics earn in Montana? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Montana is $58,740 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,170 and experienced professionals can earn $78,460 or more ¹.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic 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 Mechanic 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 Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Montana

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Montana’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Apprenticeship and Training Program, Montana Department of Labor & Industries
Address: 111 North Sanders Street, Helena, MT 59601-4520
Phone: (406) 444-4100
Email: [email protected]

Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in Montana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in Montana vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	650	$60,150	$60,600	$40,670	$77,960
Missoula	350	$59,650	$60,170	$40,880	$77,560
Bozeman	330	$61,320	$64,370	$45,430	$81,920
Helena	220	$57,820	$58,140	$38,430	$77,450
Great Falls	210	$59,110	$59,690	$40,580	$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 mechanics in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 2,900 auto mechanics ¹. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Montana. You can also contact the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do auto mechanics earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Montana is $58,740, which is $9,070 above the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data ¹.

In Montana

Best Trade Schools in Montana (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Montana

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program: http://apprenticeship.mt.gov/ ↩︎

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)