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
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

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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