Electrician in Montana

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$68,980
trending_up +10.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Montana.

engineering
2,830

Jobs (MT)

monitoring Surging
+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$310

Licensing fees

schedule
4-5 years

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Montana

To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Montana, individuals must complete a board-approved apprenticeship program or have 8,000 hours of practical experience. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Montana Journeyman Electrician Exam, administered by PSI, and pay a $240 application fee and a $70 exam fee. Licenses are renewed every two years, requiring 16 hours of continuing education per cycle, with at least 8 hours focused on National Electrical Code updates. Montana also offers reciprocity for Journeyman electricians from several states under a 'Substantial Equivalency' model.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,030
25th percentile $54,980
50th (median) $68,980
75th percentile $78,540
90th (experienced) $85,520

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Montana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Montana requirements

Licensing bodyDepartment of Labor & Industry, State Electrical Board
State license Required
EducationCompletion of a registered apprenticeship program.
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamMontana Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI) ($70)
Application fee$240
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education16.0 hours per cycle
ReciprocityMontana offers reciprocity via a "Substantial Equivalency" model, accepting licenses from many states.Reciprocal states: Montana has a 'Substantial Equivalency' model for reciprocity, evaluating if your home state's licensing standards meet or exceed Montana's. Reciprocal states for Journeyman electricians include AK, AR, CO, IA, ID, ME, MN, ND, NE, NH, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI, and WY. License verification will be obtained by board staff for these states. For endorsement states (AL, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, KY, MA, MI, NJ, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV), applicants must provide license verification.
NotesMinimum age is typically 18 for apprenticeship programs. The application fee includes the first licensing period. A temporary work permit for exam candidates is available for an additional $50.

Source: Department of Labor & Industry, State Electrical Board

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Montana? See whether Montana recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Electrician license reciprocity guide.

workspace_premium Montana license tiers

Montana offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier Hours required
Residential 4,000
Journeyman 8,000
Master 10,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+9.5%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
81,000
Nationwide per year
Total employment
818,700
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.78/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • check_circleMontana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming an electrician in Montana? expand_more
To become an electrician in Montana, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Montana Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($240 fee).
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Montana? expand_more
Montana mandates state licensure for electricians. Department of Labor & Industry, State Electrical Board oversees the process, which includes passing the Montana Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI).
What is the average electrician salary in Montana? expand_more
Montana electricians bring home a median salary of $68,980. This exceeds the $62,350 national median by 11%. New electricians start around $48,030; seasoned professionals can reach $85,520.
What's the total cost to get electrician certified in Montana? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($70) and application fee ($240) and required training.
How many months or years does electrician certification take in Montana? expand_more
Expect to spend 4-5 years from start to finish in Montana — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
What's required to renew a electrician license in Montana? expand_more
Montana requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your electrician license.

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