Plumber Salary in Montana: $81,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $81,952/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $85,189 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Billings ($81,690), Bozeman ($81,310), Missoula ($79,750).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Montana is projected to reach $81,952, which is significantly higher than the national median of $65,408, representing a 25.3% increase. Billings offers the highest salary for plumbers at $83,749, while Kalispell has the lowest, at $60,082. This salary discrepancy is largely driven by factors such as local cost of living, regional demand for plumbing services, and competition within the job market. Montana’s licensing requirements are crucial, as state regulations dictate necessary certifications and continuing education for plumbers. This ensures a skilled workforce, adding to the value of plumbing services in the state. The scope of practice laws also affect how plumbers operate, potentially influencing their earnings and the demand for their services within various regions. With a projected 2.52% annual growth rate in employment for plumbers, the market outlook remains positive. As the construction industry continues to expand and existing infrastructure ages, the demand for plumbing services will likely increase, providing ample job opportunities. The top five cities for plumber salaries in 2026 include Billings at $83,749, Bozeman at $83,359, Missoula at $81,760, Great Falls at $79,043, and Butte at $61,150, showcasing a range of earning potential across the state.
Montana Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $41,523 (lowest entry-level) to $109,235 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana plumbers earn 25.29% more than the national median (+$16,544/year difference).
Montana Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Montana range from $52,486 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,845 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,952. The Montana median is $16,544 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $39.40/hr. Approximately 1,258 plumbers are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,092
2025 BLS Actual
$79,938
2026 Current Est.
$81,952
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,092 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,709 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,762 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,503 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,938 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,017 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 26.7% from $63,092 (2019) to $79,938 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,017 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,925 (33.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kalispell | $60,082 |
| Helena | $60,256 |
| Butte | $61,150 |
| Great Falls | $79,043 |
| Missoula | $81,760 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $83,749 | 93.526 | $89,546 |
| Missoula | $81,760 | 96.445 | $84,774 |
| Great Falls | $79,043 | 96.845 | $81,618 |
| Bozeman | $83,359 | 102.51 | $81,318 |
| Butte | $61,150 | 96.2 | $63,565 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,486 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,952 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,845 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Montana?
How does Montana plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Montana?
How many plumbers are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for plumbers?
Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov