Plumber in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT
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.
Plumber Requirements in Montana
| Detail | Montana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Montana Board of Plumbers |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience Required | 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
License Tiers
Montana offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | 7,500 |
| Master | 15,500 |
Plumber Salary in Montana
The median plumber salary in Montana is $77,930 per year, which is 23.8% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,400 |
| 25th | $57,360 |
| 50th (median) | $77,930 |
| 75th | $87,630 |
| 90th (experienced) | $93,960 |
Montana employs approximately 1,810 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Montana Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $450 and a median salary of $77,930 in Montana, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Montana's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.