"How long does it take to become a plumber in Montana?"

"Most paths into the plumber field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do plumbers need a license in Montana?"

"Yes. Montana requires state-level licensing or registration for plumbers, administered by the Board of Plumbers. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for plumbers 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 A Plumber in Montana

Q: "How much do plumbers earn in Montana?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), plumbers in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $79,960. Employment concentration in Montana is about 1.22 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for plumbers in Montana?"

"Montana currently employs approximately 1,860 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Q: "What is the federal prevailing wage for plumbers in Montana?"

"Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers on federally funded construction projects in Montana earn a prevailing wage of approximately $46.45 per hour in base pay plus $19.92 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $66.37 (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026)."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn a median annual wage of $79,960 ($38.44/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,860 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 25.3% above the national median of $63,800 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $79,960 ($38.44/hr)
25th percentile: $60,990 per year
75th percentile: $94,370 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $100,860 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,250 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 1,860
Versus national median: 25.3% above the U.S. median of $63,800
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.22 - 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 approximately 1,860 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $79,960 ¹. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a plumber in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Montana

How do I become a plumber in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Plumbers - Journeyman Plumber, Plumbers - Plumber Apprentice, Plumbers - Master Plumber. The licensing authority is the Board of Plumbers 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 plumbers. The Board of Plumbers oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do plumbers earn in Montana? The median annual wage for plumbers in Montana is $79,960 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,250 and experienced professionals can earn $100,860 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 Plumbers
Median wage (Montana): $79,960 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Plumber License Requirements in Montana

The Board of Plumbers oversees plumber licensing in Montana ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Plumbers - Journeyman Plumber	Plumbers install and repair water, waste, and gas systems in homes and commercial buildings.
Plumbers - Plumber Apprentice	Plumbers install and repair water, waste, and gas systems in homes and commercial buildings.
Plumbers - Master Plumber	Plumbers install and repair water, waste, and gas systems in homes and commercial buildings.
Plumbers - Medical Gas	This is an endorsement for plumbers who want to work with medical gas lines.
Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	Septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaners clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, and drains.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Plumber 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]

Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Montana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Montana vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	360	$81,690	$81,810	$51,870	$106,550
Bozeman	350	$81,310	$77,220	$55,690	$97,440
Missoula	290	$79,750	$77,630	$48,150	$98,390
Great Falls	240	$77,100	$77,200	$48,010	$98,150

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 Plumbers in Montana

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber 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	360	$81,690
Bozeman	350	$81,310
Missoula	290	$79,750
Great Falls	240	$77,100

Federal Prevailing Wage in Montana

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers 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 $46.45 per hour in base pay plus $19.92 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $66.37 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) ⁶.

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 plumber work.

Explore More Trades in Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for plumbers in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 1,860 plumbers ¹. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a plumber in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Plumbers 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 plumbers earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Montana is $79,960, which is $16,990 above the national median of $62,970 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 Plumbers - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/plu ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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)