Plumber in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Montana.
Jobs (MT)
10-yr job growth
Est. total cost
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in Montana
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Montana, individuals must complete a registered apprenticeship program or document 7,500 hours of experience over five years. Applicants then need to pass both the written and practical portions of the Montana Journeyman Plumber Examination with a score of 70% or higher. The Montana Board of Plumbers offers reciprocity for Journeyman licenses from Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota, provided the out-of-state license is active and in good standing and the applicant passed both written and practical exams in that state. Licenses must be renewed annually with 4 hours of board-approved continuing education.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Montana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Montana requirements
| Licensing body | Montana Board of Plumbers |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience | 7,500.0 hours |
| Exam | Montana Journeyman Plumber Examination (written and practical) ($250) |
| Application fee | $270 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing education | 4.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for Journeyman Plumber is 18 years old. Master Plumber requires 4 years of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber, with 3 of those years in a supervisory capacity or working for a Master Plumber. Both Journeyman and Master Plumber exams require a 70% passing score on both written and practical portions. Exams are based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code. New licensees are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal. Licensees are advised to keep CE certificates for at least three years for audit purposes. A criminal background check may be required. |
Source: Montana Board of Plumbers
workspace_premium Montana license tiers
Montana offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | 7,500 |
| Master | 15,500 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleMontana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk