Welder in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT
How to Become a Welder in Montana
To become a welder in Montana, a state license is not generally required. Instead, welders typically pursue industry-recognized certifications such as those offered by the American Welding Society (AWS) for general welding, or ASME Section IX certification for working on boilers and pressure vessels. Boiler operators, however, must obtain a state license from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau, which involves meeting specific age, experience, and examination requirements.
Welder Requirements in Montana
| Detail | Montana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | No formal education is required for general welding, but training programs are recommended. For boiler and pressure vessel welding, ASME Section IX certification is required, which typically involves passing a performance qualification test. Some boiler operator licenses require specific training courses and supervised experience. |
| Exam | AWS Certified Welder (CW) performance tests for general welding; ASME Section IX Welder Qualification Test for boiler and pressure vessel welding. Montana also has specific written examinations for various classes of boiler operator licenses. ($35) |
| Notes | Montana does not require a general state welding license. Certification is primarily managed through industry-recognized bodies like the American Welding Society (AWS) for general welding and ASME for boiler and pressure vessel welding. Boiler operators, however, do require state licenses issued by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau. Minimum age for boiler operator licenses is 18. |
Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau
Welder Salary in Montana
The median welder salary in Montana is $51,280 per year, which is 0.5% above the national median of $51,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,080 |
| 25th | $46,580 |
| 50th (median) | $51,280 |
| 75th | $61,570 |
| 90th (experienced) | $78,290 |
Montana employs approximately 1,340 welders.
Welder Job Outlook
AI Impact on Welders
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.20/1.00)
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 Welder in Montana Worth It?
Factors to consider: Montana's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.