What this means Our calculation
23 of 26 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is building inspectors at $96,530. Prices run 3% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (2.5%) and the population is growing faster than most (+7.6% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Bozeman Government data
All 26 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Inspector | $96,530 | +43% | $94,166 | 40 | #22 |
| Plumber | $81,310 | +32% | $79,319 | 350 | #48 |
| Construction Supervisor | $79,500 | +3% | $77,553 | 920 | #137 |
| Electrician | $78,230 | +25% | $76,315 | 440 | #71 |
| HVAC Technician | $72,970 | +22% | $71,183 | 210 | #46 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $72,280 | +18% | $70,510 | 50 | #83 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $69,930 | +12% | $68,218 | 100 | #91 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $68,160 | +14% | $66,491 | 530 | #97 |
| Machinist | $66,500 | +17% | $64,872 | 40 | #23 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,860 | +2% | $63,272 | 60 | #175 |
| Concrete Finisher | $64,280 | +12% | $62,706 | 160 | #46 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $63,910 | +6% | $62,345 | 120 | #87 |
| Roofer | $63,570 | +27% | $62,013 | 40 | #26 |
| Carpenter | $62,450 | +11% | $60,921 | 900 | #92 |
| Auto Mechanic | $61,320 | +25% | $59,819 | 330 | #26 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $60,960 | +18% | $59,467 | 50 | #37 |
| Painter | $60,850 | +28% | $59,360 | 260 | #25 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $59,430 | +17% | $57,975 | 50 | #32 |
| Tile Setter | $59,230 | +17% | $57,780 | 80 | #30 |
| Welder | $59,140 | +13% | $57,692 | 170 | #72 |
| Construction Laborer | $55,690 | +19% | $54,326 | 790 | #74 |
| Brickmason | $54,870 | -13% | $53,526 | 60 | #116 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $50,650 | +1% | $49,410 | 40 | #67 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $50,320 | -0% | $49,088 | 30 | #64 |
| Maintenance Technician | $47,590 | -2% | $46,425 | 800 | #222 |
| Landscaper | $47,320 | +26% | $46,161 | 910 | #15 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Bozeman
The Bozeman area has about 61,754 homes. 26% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 30% were built in 2010 or later. 58% of households own their home, and the median home value is $734,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Bozeman Government data
In an average year, Bozeman has 13 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 180 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 48 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 79°F and winter nights 16°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Bozeman 6 W Exp Farm, MT station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
2.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Bozeman area's population grew 7.6% from 2020 to 2025 (119,593 → 128,740), ranking #59 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +6,789) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Bozeman are down 9% from 2024 to 2025 (1,706 → 1,544). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2024–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Bozeman area is 18 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 7% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 72% drive alone, 0% take transit and 14% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Montana Official source
The main state licensing office in Montana is the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (Business Standards). It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Montana licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 11.2% of wage and salary workers in Montana were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#19 of 51 states and D.C.), and 12.3% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Montana.