Highest-paying trades in Montana
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Montana, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $53.04 | $110,320 | $60.10 | 680 | 9th of 51 | +2.4% | 16% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $50.23 | $104,480 | $83.48 | 2,140 | 36th of 51 | +4.7% | 9% below |
| 3 | Elevator mechanic | $43.45 | $90,370 | $48.25 | 40 | 30th of 37 | — | 18% below |
| 4 | Crane operator | $39.81 | $82,800 | $48.97 | 30 | 12th of 50 | -10.4% | 22% above |
| 5 | Plumber | $38.44 | $79,960 | $48.49 | 1,860 | 10th of 51 | +3.2% | 25% above |
| 6 | Construction supervisor | $36.98 | $76,910 | $49.59 | 4,350 | 36th of 51 | -5.5% | 4% below |
| 7 | Electrician | $36.90 | $76,760 | $43.03 | 2,750 | 12th of 51 | -5.8% | 21% above |
| 8 | Ironworker | $32.40 | $67,390 | $36.39 | 130 | 23rd of 50 | -10.1% | 7% above |
| 9 | Wind turbine technician | $29.98 | $62,360 | $44.92 | 40 | 17th of 25 | — | 3% below |
| 10 | Cement mason | $29.63 | $61,620 | $37.00 | 780 | 14th of 51 | +22.1% | 8% above |
| 11 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.61 | $61,580 | $38.41 | 3,750 | 24th of 51 | -2.2% | 3% above |
| 12 | Sheet metal worker | $29.53 | $61,420 | $40.49 | 410 | 28th of 50 | -14.9% | 1% below |
| 13 | Machinist | $29.29 | $60,920 | $39.33 | 630 | 19th of 51 | +17.6% | 4% above |
| 14 | HVAC technician | $29.26 | $60,850 | $39.05 | 1,230 | 26th of 51 | +10.5% | about the same as |
| 15 | Drywall installer | $28.92 | $60,140 | $38.10 | 170 | 17th of 49 | +15.6% | 2% above |
| 16 | Millwright | $28.87 | $60,050 | $35.53 | 70 | 41st of 48 | -4.0% | 9% below |
| 17 | Diesel mechanic | $28.84 | $59,990 | $37.35 | 1,230 | 32nd of 51 | +15.5% | 3% below |
| 18 | Roofer | $28.38 | $59,030 | $34.58 | 370 | 20th of 51 | +23.1% | 6% above |
| 19 | Carpenter | $28.28 | $58,820 | $37.09 | 4,030 | 28th of 51 | +7.0% | 3% below |
| 20 | Tile setter | $28.21 | $58,670 | $33.96 | 240 | 17th of 47 | +40.5% | 5% above |
| 21 | Painter | $28.03 | $58,290 | $33.42 | 920 | 12th of 51 | +33.0% | 18% above |
| 22 | Brickmason | $26.94 | $56,030 | $37.31 | 140 | 38th of 50 | -16.1% | 10% below |
| 23 | Welder | $26.73 | $55,610 | $39.17 | 1,530 | 27th of 51 | +12.0% | 3% above |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $23.96 | $49,830 | $30.76 | 4,590 | 19th of 51 | +7.0% | 6% above |
| 25 | Glazier | $23.73 | $49,360 | $33.66 | 410 | 35th of 50 | +1.4% | 14% below |
| 26 | Insulation worker | $23.13 | $48,100 | $40.07 | 490 | 30th of 48 | — | 2% below |
| 27 | Plasterer | $22.38 | $46,540 | $30.70 | 50 | 27th of 28 | -17.5% | 19% below |
Construction jobs in Montana
Prevailing wage in Montana
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Montana, 51 of 55 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $58.91/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Montana?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $53.04 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($50.23) and elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($43.45).
How does Montana compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 14 pay above the national median in Montana and 13 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 94.6% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Montana.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).