How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Montana
Montana employs approximately 4,390 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,900 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Montana
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Nursing - Medication Aide II, Nursing - Medication Aide, Nursing - Advanced Practice Reg Nurse. The licensing authority is the Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Montana? Yes. Montana has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Montana? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Montana is $40,900 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,780 and experienced professionals can earn $49,700 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Montana): $40,900 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Montana
The Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nursing - Medication Aide II | Medication aides help dispense medications in nursing and group homes. |
| Nursing - Medication Aide | Medication aides help dispense medications in nursing and group homes. |
| Nursing - Advanced Practice Reg Nurse | Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have additional training. |
| Certified Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide | Certified Nursing Aides: Nursing assistants give personal care to patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Home Health Aides: Home health aides care for elderly. |
| Nursing - Registered Nurse | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. |
| Nursing - Licensed Practical Nurse | Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, or have disabilities. |
| Nurse Anesthetists | Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses with special training who use drugs and gases to block physical sensations or keep patients unconscious during procedures. |
| Nursing Home Administrators - Nursing Home Administrator | They manage nursing homes and other services for older people |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 950 | $39,150 | $42,950 | $37,930 | $49,980 |
| Missoula | 440 | $38,550 | $42,330 | $37,220 | $48,780 |
| Great Falls | 360 | $39,330 | $42,500 | $36,920 | $47,520 |
| Bozeman | 340 | $46,220 | $47,170 | $40,900 | $59,730 |
| Helena | 290 | $42,520 | $43,870 | $37,590 | $50,060 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Montana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | 950 | $39,150 |
| Missoula | 440 | $38,550 |
| Great Falls | 360 | $39,330 |
| Bozeman | 340 | $46,220 |
| Helena | 290 | $42,520 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 4,390 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Montana is $40,900, which is $1,370 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nur ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |