Transportation trades
auto technician salary in Montana
The median auto technician in Montana earns $58,740 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 16% above the national median of $50,620, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $78,460.
STATE MEDIAN
$58,740
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$78,460
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
2,900
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
+16%
Above national median
What do automotive service technicians and mechanics earn in Montana?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$38,170
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$47,230
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$58,740
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$72,270
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$78,460
Top earning range
How does Montana compare to national earnings?
Montana pays 16% above the national median for automotive service technicians and mechanics. That can create more room for training debt, but only if program cost stays controlled and the wage premium holds in the part of the state where you plan to work.
Montana
$58,740
State median annual wage
National median
$50,620
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a auto technician in Montana?
In Montana, the usual paths into automotive service technicians and mechanics are employer-sponsored training, community college programs, and short private certificate programs. Pay attention to licensing, time to first paycheck, and whether the program offers direct employer placement. Montana can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Lowest debt path
Apprenticeship, community college, or employer-sponsored training usually keeps borrowing pressure lowest. That matters more than raw starting pay if you are comparing a free path against a private program.
What to verify before enrolling
Check tuition, licensing hours, exam pass rates, employer placement, and how quickly the program gets you to a paid job in Montana.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Montana?
The 8% rule says a monthly student loan payment should ideally stay below 8% of gross monthly income.
For a community college style path with an illustrative $10,000 of training debt, a simple 10-year repayment schedule lands near $83 a month. Against a median gross monthly income of $4,895 in Montana, that works out to about 1.7%.
This is an illustrative midpoint between a free apprenticeship path and a higher-cost private program. Your exact result depends on tuition, grants, and how long you stay in school.
What else should you read next?
Transportation trades guide
Read the full transportation trades guide for training paths, debt ranges, and employer context.
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Compare this trade in Texas against Montana.
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See how a related trade in the same cluster pays in the same state.
Trade comparison methodology
See how CollegeLens sources BLS wages, training-cost ranges, and debt-to-income examples.
Common questions about auto technician pay in Montana
What is the average auto technician salary in Montana?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $58,740 for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Montana, with the top 10% above $78,460.
Is auto technician a good career in Montana?
Montana currently has 2,900 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $58,740.
How do you become a auto technician in Montana?
In Montana, the usual paths into automotive service technicians and mechanics are employer-sponsored training, community college programs, and short private certificate programs. Pay attention to licensing, time to first paycheck, and whether the program offers direct employer placement. Montana can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Where does Montana rank for auto technician earnings?
Montana is above the national median for this trade. State median: $58,740. National median: $50,620.
What does auto technician training cost in Montana?
Training cost depends on the path. Apprenticeship can be near $0 out of pocket while you earn. Community college programs often land in the low thousands. Private trade school and certificate routes can be much higher. Always compare program cost against expected earnings in Montana.