How to Become An Electrician in Montana
Montana employs approximately 2,750 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,760 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an electrician in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in Montana
How do I become an electrician in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Electrician - Residential Electrician, Electrician - Journeyman Electrician, Electrician - Master Electrician. The licensing authority is the State Electrical Board 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 electricians. The State Electrical Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for electricians in Montana is $76,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $49,130 and experienced professionals can earn $89,510 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: State Electrical Board
- Median wage (Montana): $76,760 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Electrician License Requirements in Montana
The State Electrical Board oversees electrician licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Electrician - Residential Electrician | Electricians install, test, and maintain electrical systems. |
| Electrician - Journeyman Electrician | Electricians install, test, and maintain electrical systems. |
| Electrician - Master Electrician | Electricians install, test, and maintain electrical systems. |
| Electrician - Apprentice | Electricians install, test, and maintain electrical systems. |
| Electrician - Contractor | Electricians install, test, and maintain electrical systems. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Electrician 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 5.
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]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 510 | $80,980 | $76,160 | $49,940 | $92,080 |
| Bozeman | 440 | $78,230 | $74,590 | $51,770 | $92,150 |
| Missoula | 280 | $79,250 | $71,570 | $49,240 | $81,150 |
| Helena | 240 | $78,760 | $71,150 | $49,560 | $82,350 |
| Great Falls | 170 | $76,960 | $73,780 | $48,800 | $94,670 |
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 Electricians in Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician 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 | 510 | $80,980 |
| Bozeman | 440 | $78,230 |
| Missoula | 280 | $79,250 |
| Helena | 240 | $78,760 |
| Great Falls | 170 | $76,960 |
Explore electrician programs in Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 2,750 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the State Electrical Board 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. You can also contact the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Montana is $76,760, which is $14,410 above the national median of $62,350 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
State Electrical Board - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/ele ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |