How to Become An HVAC Technician in Montana
Montana employs approximately 1,230 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,850 1. Nationally, hvac technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an hvac technician in Montana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Montana
How do I become an hvac technician in Montana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for hvac technicians in Montana.
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.
What do hvac technicians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Montana is $60,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,900 and experienced professionals can earn $81,230 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Montana): $60,850 per year 1
HVAC Technician 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]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 300 | $62,240 | $61,870 | $41,890 | $78,800 |
| Bozeman | 210 | $72,970 | $71,160 | $49,920 | $89,510 |
| Missoula | 180 | $60,240 | $60,990 | $44,500 | $75,860 |
| Great Falls | 150 | $60,670 | $61,430 | $41,600 | $81,230 |
| Helena | 100 | $62,670 | $62,290 | $45,970 | $79,090 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Hvac technicians in Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician 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 | 300 | $62,240 |
| Bozeman | 210 | $72,970 |
| Missoula | 180 | $60,240 |
| Great Falls | 150 | $60,670 |
| Helena | 100 | $62,670 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Montana
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Montana earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Montana general wage determinations show approximately $40.00 per hour in base pay plus $22.07 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $62.07 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 4.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within hvac technician work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 1,230 hvac technicians 1. Nationally, hvac technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% 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 accredited programs in Montana. You can also contact the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Montana is $60,850, which is $1,040 above the national median of $59,810 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program: http://apprenticeship.mt.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |