BLS May 2025
Mechanic Salary in Montana
Mechanic pay in Montana lands 8th in the country, ahead of most states. For automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median is $58,740 a year, $8,120 above the national median of $50,620, and 2,900 wage and salary jobs sit behind it. That is 0.4 percent of the 704,640 jobs nationwide, with the 10th percentile at $38,170 and the 90th at $78,460.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group
At a Glance
- 8th of 50 states on median pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), $58,740 against $50,620 nationally.
- $38,170 to $78,460 from the 10th to the 90th percentile, 47th widest of 50.
- $72,560 for heavy equipment mechanics, 24 percent ahead of automotive technicians.
Mechanic Salary in Montana Stays in a Tight $40,290 Range
$38,170 at the 10th percentile is $3,510 ahead of the national figure, but $78,460 at the 90th percentile is $3,330 behind the national figure. The $40,290 spread from the 10th percentile to the 90th runs $6,840 tighter than nationally. Only 3 states have a narrower range than Montana.
| Measure | Montana | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,170 | $34,660 | +$3,510 |
| 25th percentile | $47,230 | $38,900 | +$8,330 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $58,740 | $50,620 | +$8,120 |
| 75th percentile | $72,270 | $70,430 | +$1,840 |
| 90th percentile | $78,460 | $81,790 | -$3,330 |
| Mean | $59,310 | $56,420 | +$2,890 |
| Wage and salary jobs | 2,900 | 704,640 |
The 25th and 75th percentiles are $47,230 and $72,270, both above the national pair (+$8,330, +$1,840).
At $59,310, the mean exceeds the median by only $570.
The $38,170 at the 10th percentile is a point in the distribution, not a starting wage.
Mechanic Employment 25 Percent Above the National Rate in Montana
Technician employment here is 5.7 per 1,000 jobs, 25 percent above the national rate (location quotient 1.25). The state is 8th of 50 on concentration.
Heavy equipment mechanics are the most concentrated trade at 2.30 on 1,330 jobs; aircraft mechanics trail at 0.69. They are far more common here than nationally.
Heavy Equipment Mechanics Lead Trade Pay by $13,820 in Montana
Trade choice changes pay by 24 percent here: heavy equipment mechanics make $72,560 next to $58,740 for automotive technicians, with aircraft mechanics next at $64,170.
| Trade | Montana median | U.S. median | Rank of 50 | Jobs | Best metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $72,560 | $65,510 | 13th | 1,330 | Billings, MT, $77,000 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $64,170 | $79,870 | 45th | 310 | |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,990 | $61,770 | 31st | 1,230 | Billings, MT, $61,210 |
| Auto Mechanic | $58,740 | $50,620 | 8th | 2,900 | Bozeman, MT, $61,320 |
| Collision Repair Technician | $57,500 | $54,890 | 15th | 500 |
Heavy equipment mechanics ($72,560, +$7,050) and collision repair technicians ($57,500, +$2,610) beat their national medians.
Behind the national picture: aircraft mechanics ($64,170, -$15,700).
Near their national medians: diesel mechanics ($59,990, -$1,780).
Aircraft mechanics place 45th among 50 states at $64,170, the softest of the trades here.
In Billings, MT, heavy equipment mechanics reach $77,000, the best metro figure for the trade in Montana.
Mechanic Salary in Montana by Area
Billings, MT anchors the state's metropolitan pay data with 650 jobs (22 percent of the state's 2,900 jobs) at $60,150, $1,410 ahead of the $58,740 state median; 4 other areas follow it.
West Montana nonmetropolitan area is the biggest of 3 nonmetropolitan areas, 490 jobs; together they hold 39 percent of the state and span $48,180 to $59,790, around the $58,740 state median.
| Area | Median | Against Montana | 10th to 90th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $60,150 | +$1,410 | $40,670 to $77,960 | 650 |
| Missoula, MT | $59,650 | +$910 | $40,880 to $77,560 | 350 |
| Bozeman, MT | $61,320 | +$2,580 | $45,430 to $81,920 | 330 |
| Helena, MT | $57,820 | -$920 | $38,430 to $77,450 | 220 |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,110 | +$370 | $40,580 to $87,090 | 210 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $59,790 | +$1,050 | $36,810 to $77,710 | 490 |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $48,180 | -$10,560 | $36,010 to $75,670 | 420 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $53,390 | -$5,350 | $37,470 to $74,720 | 210 |
Mechanic Schools in Montana
2 ranked programs at 2 schools (1 automotive and 1 aviation maintenance). Helena College University of Montana in Helena, MT scores highest, 42.1 out of 100 in aviation maintenance.
Prices start at $4,146 annually, in-state (Helena College University of Montana, Helena, MT) and hit $6,982 a year, in-state (Montana State University-Northern, Havre, MT) across 2 priced programs.
1 ranked program is in Helena, MT, where the median is $57,820.
Montana Between New Hampshire and Oregon on Mechanic Pay
Oregon sits closest, at $58,520, $220 lower; New Hampshire is farther up at $59,020, $280 above.
12 other states land within $2,500 of $58,740, 5 within $1,000. Rank changes fast in this stretch.
Questions About Mechanic Salary in Montana
What is the average mechanic salary in Montana?
A $58,740 median, or $28.24 an hour, which is $8,120 above the nation. The 10th percentile is $38,170 and the 90th $78,460.
Do heavy equipment mechanics out-earn auto mechanics in Montana?
Yes, by $13,820: $72,560 versus $58,740, on 1,330 jobs.
Which mechanic school in Montana ranks highest?
Helena College University of Montana in Helena, MT, with 42.1 points among 2 ranked programs.
The figures here are the Bureau of Labor Statistics median for wage and salary workers, so the mechanic salary in Montana for any one job depends on the employer, the metro area and the trade.
Sources for Mechanic Salary in Montana
- BLS OEWS, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics May 2025, read October 23, 2026.
- BLS OEWS technical notes Wage and salary workers only.