Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Montana

Wages, programs & career outlook
MT Median Salary
$48,920/yr
+1% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
MT Employment
980
Construction Painters employed
MT Sponsors
776
Registered programs

Montana Wage Spread

Annual wages for Construction Painters in Montana across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$34,560
25th %ile
$45,570
Median
$48,920
75th %ile
$59,610
90th %ile
$65,650

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Montana

At $48,920 per year, Construction Painter wages in Montana are near the national median of $48,060. Combine that with zero tuition and the effective return exceeds what the raw salary suggests.

Wages for Construction Painters in Montana ($48,920/yr) track close to the $48,660 national median — within 1% either way. The state sits squarely in the middle of the pack.

Looking ahead to 2034, Construction Painter employment should expand by 3.8%. That translates to roughly 28,100 openings annually when you factor in retirements — enough to absorb most apprenticeship completers.

The Construction Painter workforce in Montana (980 workers, 0.5% of national employment) is relatively small. Fewer employers means fewer apprenticeship slots — competition for available programs can be stiffer.

The Construction Painter apprenticeship path spans 3 years in a time-based format. During those 6,000 hours, apprentices rotate between jobsite work under a journeyman and formal instruction in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation.

The apprenticeship infrastructure in Montana is extensive: 776 registered sponsors operate across the state. Union halls, contractors, and joint apprenticeship committees all accept applications.

The $31,090 gap between entry-level and top-earning Construction Painters in Montana ($34,560 to $65,650) is tighter than most trades. Standardized pay schedules — often union-negotiated — keep the spread narrow.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Montana

776 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Montana. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Shupe's Plumbing & Heating Inc. Absarokee Stillwater County
Anaconda Foundry and Fabrication Company (AFFCO) Anaconda Deer Lodge County
Colbert's Electric INC Anaconda Deer Lodge County
Emerine Contracting LLC Anaconda Deer Lodge County
Tongue River Electric Cooperative, Inc. Ashland Rosebud County
WESTERN SKY ELECTRIC LLC Augusta Lewis And Clark County
Badlands Electric Inc. Baker Fallon County
Direct Electric LLC Baker Fallon County
Timber Creek Plumbing, LLC Ballantine Yellowstone County
1 Plumbing and Heating Belgrade Gallatin County
2nd Nature Plumbing & Heating LLC Belgrade Gallatin County
Accurate Plumbing & Heating Inc. Belgrade Gallatin County
BC Plumbing & Heating Inc. Belgrade Gallatin County
Bob's Plumbing and Drain LLC Belgrade Gallatin County
Bogle Plumbing & Mechanical, LLC Belgrade Gallatin County
CU Electric LLC Belgrade Gallatin County
Campbell's Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Belgrade Gallatin County
Casey Ventures Inc. dba Allied Electric Belgrade Gallatin County
Curt Electric LLC Belgrade Gallatin County
Extreme Plumbing Inc. Belgrade Gallatin County
Gallatin Electric Inc. Belgrade Gallatin County
Grummpy B's Barber Shop Belgrade Gallatin County
Innovative Fire Protection, LLC Belgrade Gallatin County
Kreative Kids Belgrade Gallatin County
Lee Plumbing and Welding Belgrade Gallatin County
+ 5 more sponsors in Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Construction Painters earn in Montana?
The median annual wage for Construction Painters in Montana is $48,920 as of May 2024. Wages range from $34,560 at the 10th percentile to $65,650 at the 90th percentile.
What is the length of a Construction Painter apprenticeship program?
Most Construction Painter apprenticeships run 3 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
What's the difference between a Construction Painter apprenticeship and trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Construction Painters combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
What is the job outlook for Construction Painters?
The BLS projects 3.8% employment growth for Construction Painters through 2034 — steady demand. About 28100 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
How do I find a Construction Painter apprenticeship in Montana?
Contact one of the 776 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Montana, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
How much do Construction Painter apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Montana, a first-year Construction Painter apprentice might earn around $24,460/yr (roughly half the $48,920 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Montana

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.