LINEMAN
Builds and repairs the high-voltage grid. Climbs poles, rides bucket trucks, works storms. Highest-paid common trade. Montana is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Montana: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Montana State Electrical Board (DLI). Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Real BLS OEWS 2025 median hourly wages for linemans in Montana — by metro area. Union scale typically runs 20–40% above these medians on prevailing wage projects.
| Metro area | Median hourly | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | $52.02/hr | $104,040 |
| National median (BLS) | $46.28/hr | $92,560 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. These are median wages across all workers (union and non-union). Year 1 apprentice: $50,000–$76,000/yr. Journeyman top of scale: $96,000–$150,000/yr.
Montana is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in Montana's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
Montana is a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) state — it administers its own apprenticeship programs separately from the federal RAPIDS system. Contact the state labor department directly or visit apprenticeship.gov and filter by state.
- · IBEW (outside construction branch)
The Exam.
Most states use the NEC (National Electrical Code) as the basis for the journeyman and master electrician exam. Montana may be on a different NEC edition than the current one — confirm which edition before you study. Pass rates vary significantly: some states run 50–60% first-time pass rates, others run higher. PSI Exams and Prometric administer most state electrical exams. Bring your NEC codebook (tabbed) where allowed. Prevailing wage requirements in Montana apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Fatality rate is in the top 10 of all US occupations. This is not a marketing line.
- 02Pre-apprenticeship lineman programs (Northwest Lineman College, etc.) cost $7K–$20K and don't guarantee work.
- 03Storm work is mandatory in most utility contracts. Holidays are not protected.
- 04CDL is functionally required even when 'not required' on paper.