Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Montana

Wages, programs & career outlook
MT Median Salary
$77,930/yr
+24% vs. national
National Median
$62,970/yr
MT Employment
1,810
Plumber & Pipefitters employed
MT Sponsors
776
Registered programs

Montana Wage Spread

Annual wages for Plumber & Pipefitters in Montana across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$46,400
25th %ile
$57,360
Median
$77,930
75th %ile
$87,630
90th %ile
$93,960

Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Montana

Earning $77,930/yr, Plumber & Pipefitters in Montana sit 62% above the national median for all workers. Few career paths that don't require a four-year degree offer this kind of wage floor.

Montana Plumber & Pipefitters earn $77,930/yr — a 24% premium over the $62,970 national median for the trade. Strong union presence or high demand likely drives the spread.

The 4.5% projected growth rate for Plumber & Pipefitters signals steady demand — not a boom, but reliable. 44,000 openings per year keep the pipeline of opportunities flowing.

Montana's 1,810 Plumber & Pipefitters represent just 0.4% of the national workforce. A thinner market means fewer apprenticeship sponsors and potentially longer waits for program openings.

Expect a 4-year commitment for a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship: 8,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in mechanical systems, refrigerant handling, and equipment diagnostics. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Montana's 776 registered apprenticeship sponsors create one of the more competitive markets for program placement. Candidates should apply to multiple programs, as the most popular ones fill quickly.

Apprentices entering the Plumber & Pipefitter trade in Montana start near the $46,400 floor but have a clear path to $93,960 — a $47,560 arc that reflects how the trade values experience and skill accumulation.

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 is the average Plumber & Pipefitter salary in Montana?
The median annual wage for Plumber & Pipefitters in Montana is $77,930 as of May 2024. Wages range from $46,400 at the 10th percentile to $93,960 at the 90th percentile.
What is the length of a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship program?
Most Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Plumber & Pipefitters?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Plumber & Pipefitters combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
What is the job outlook for Plumber & Pipefitters?
The BLS projects 4.5% employment growth for Plumber & Pipefitters through 2034 — steady demand. About 44000 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
How do I find a Plumber & Pipefitter 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 Plumber & Pipefitter apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Montana, a first-year Plumber & Pipefitter apprentice might earn around $38,965/yr (roughly half the $77,930 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 4-year program.

Plumber & Pipefitter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Montana

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