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MT

Certifications & licenses in Montana

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 28 professional credentials in MT. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers
28
Top-paying
Dental Hygienist
$98,440
insights

What's different about Montana

Licensing landscape in Montana

Montana Department of Labor & Industry
35
distinct boards
COSMETOLOGY

To be eligible for a cosmetology license, applicants must complete 1,500 hours of training at a board-approved school.

Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

PLUMBING

To qualify for a journeyman plumber license, an individual must have at least 5 years of experience, which equates to about 8,500 hours of on-the-job training.

Montana Board of Plumbers

EMT

For EMTs to recertify in Montana, they are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education under the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) model.

Montana Board of Medical Examiners

BARBERING

Applicants for a barber license in Montana must complete 1,500 hours of training in a board-approved barbering school or program.

Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

Metro concentration of certified careers

Where certified careers cluster
Billings, MT
6,040 jobs
Construction and Extraction
BLS OEWS May 2024
Missoula, MT
7.0% of local employment
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
BLS OEWS May 2024
Great Falls, MT
12.2% of local employment
Office and Administrative Support
BLS OEWS May 2024

Cost-of-living adjusted earnings in Montana

What nominal wages are actually worth in Montana
96.8
COL composite index
MERIC 2025 Annual Average
94.4
Housing index
25th lowest in US
National rank

A $75K MT salary has roughly the purchasing power of a $77.5K salary in an average-COL state.

Regional comparison: Montana vs. neighbors

Montana vs. neighboring states
Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage
State Median annual wage vs MT
MT $40,900 —
ID $38,650 -6% vs MT
WY $39,160 -4% vs MT
ND $45,820 +12% vs MT
SD $38,800 -5% vs MT
Massage Therapist · Required training hours
State Required training hours vs MT
MT 500 hours —
ID 500 hours 0 hours
WY 500 hours 0 hours
ND 750 hours +250 hours
SD 500 hours 0 hours
Sources (3)
health_and_safety

Healthcare in Montana

14 paths
Career License Median salary
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Required $40,900
Dental Assistant No $46,680
EMT Required $36,140
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Required $62,210
Medical Assistant No $46,820
Medical Coder No $50,190
Paramedic Required $50,890
Pharmacy Technician Required $49,400
Phlebotomist No $45,470
Radiology Technologist Required $77,070
Registered Nurse (RN) Required $85,280
Respiratory Therapist Required $81,190
Surgical Technologist No $60,970
Dental Hygienist Required $98,440
construction

Skilled Trades in Montana

5 paths
Career License Median salary
CDL Truck Driver Required $58,870
Electrician Required $76,760
HVAC Technician No $60,850
Plumber Required $79,960
Welder No $55,610
spa

Personal Care & Wellness in Montana

4 paths
Career License Median salary
Personal Trainer No $43,940
Barber Required —
Cosmetologist Required $38,000
Massage Therapist Required $53,540
business_center

Professional & Business in Montana

5 paths
Career License Median salary
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Required $75,810
Notary Public Required —
Paralegal No $57,290
Insurance Agent Required $62,040
Real Estate Agent Required $79,100

leaderboard Montana careers ranked by salary

Compare other states