How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Montana
Montana employs approximately 7,830 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,870 1. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a cdl truck driver in Montana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A CDL Truck Driver in Montana
How do I become a cdl truck driver in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Truck Drivers/Light, Truck Drivers/Heavy. The licensing authority is the Montana Department of Justice - Motor Vehicle Division 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 cdl truck drivers. The Montana Department of Justice - Motor Vehicle Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Montana? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Montana is $58,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,040 and experienced professionals can earn $74,120 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: Montana Department of Justice - Motor Vehicle Division
- Median wage (Montana): $58,870 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Montana
The Montana Department of Justice - Motor Vehicle Division oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Commercial Drivers License (CDL) | Commercial Drivers Licenses are issued by state departments but are similar from state to state, since the minimum requirements of the licenses and endorsements are set centrally. |
| Truck Drivers/Light | Light truck drivers drive small trucks to transport people or materials. |
| Truck Drivers/Heavy | Heavy truck drivers drive large trucks or tractor-trailers to transport goods and materials. |
| Crane and Hoist Operator - Hydraulic Boom Truck-2nd | Crane and tower operators use machinery to lift and move heavy loads. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 1,990 | $60,850 | $62,040 | $47,470 | $77,630 |
| Missoula | 920 | $58,500 | $58,190 | $46,110 | $71,490 |
| Bozeman | 770 | $62,780 | $63,760 | $49,320 | $76,790 |
| Great Falls | 510 | $54,460 | $55,560 | $44,280 | $63,790 |
| Helena | 400 | $56,800 | $57,030 | $43,400 | $67,430 |
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 Cdl truck drivers in Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver 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 | 1,990 | $60,850 |
| Missoula | 920 | $58,500 |
| Bozeman | 770 | $62,780 |
| Great Falls | 510 | $54,460 |
| Helena | 400 | $56,800 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman.
Explore More Trades in Montana
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 7,830 cdl truck drivers 1. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Montana Department of Justice - Motor Vehicle Division 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 cdl truck drivers earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Montana is $58,870, which is $1,430 above the national median of $57,440 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 Department of Justice - Motor Vehicle Division - Licensing Information: https://dojmt.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |