Do pilots need a license in Montana?

No statewide license is required for pilots in Montana. Most employers expect industry certifications such as FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride).

How to Become a Pilot in Montana (2026)

Q: How long does pilot training take in Montana?

Most people become a Pilot in Montana through an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license.

Q: What is the job outlook for pilots in Montana?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.9% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034. State employment data for Montana is not separately published for this occupation.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana commercial pilots earn a median annual wage of $103,690 according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 330 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -15.8% below the national median of $123,220 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $103,690
25th percentile: $87,190 per year
75th percentile: $131,360 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $226,770 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $73,440 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 330
Versus national median: -15.8% below the U.S. median of $123,220
Job concentration: Location quotient 2.13 - this occupation is more concentrated in Montana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

U.S. employment of pilots is projected to change 3.9% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). Training as a Pilot here means completing an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license.

Montana offers career opportunities for pilots. This page covers how to become a Pilot in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: FAA Part 61 or Part 141 flight school (find programs)
Typical timeline: an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license
Exam: FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride)

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pilot in Montana

How to become a Pilot in Montana? Complete an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish an FAA medical, flight training, solo, knowledge test, and checkride. Certificates are federal, not a state license. 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 FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride). See the licensing section below.

How to Become a Pilot in Montana

Get an FAA medical. See an Aviation Medical Examiner for the medical class your goal requires.
Train under Part 61 or Part 141. Complete ground and dual instruction at a flight school. This is not a registered apprenticeship and not a state licensing board path.
Solo, then pass the knowledge test. Meet FAA solo requirements, then pass the FAA knowledge test.
Pass the checkride and add ratings. Pass the practical test. Private is the entry certificate; instrument, commercial, and ATP are later ratings. Confirm current hour minimums with the FAA and your school, not a state board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Pilot License Requirements in Montana

Pilots hold FAA certificates. Montana does not issue a pilot license. The path is medical, flight training, knowledge test, and checkride.

Typical path

Obtain an FAA medical.
Complete Part 61 or Part 141 training.
Pass the knowledge test and checkride.
Add ratings as your career requires.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Pilot Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Commercial Pilots Wages by Metro Area in Montana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), commercial pilots wages in Montana vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	50	$105,830	$115,960	$74,430	$155,440
Helena	50	$100,940	$117,320	$48,490	$228,130
Bozeman	40	$137,430	$166,310	$80,170	$313,450
Missoula	40	$104,260	$124,230	$85,540	$174,110

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 pilots in Montana? Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.9% from 2024 to 2034 ¹.

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.

In Montana

Best Trade Schools in Montana (2026)

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 - 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)