What this means Our calculation
14 of 22 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is plumbers at $79,750. Prices run 4% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.2%) and the population is growing faster than most (+4.7% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Missoula Government data
All 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $79,750 | +30% | $82,690 | 290 | #59 |
| Electrician | $79,250 | +27% | $82,171 | 280 | #56 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $75,860 | +22% | $78,656 | 70 | #53 |
| Construction Supervisor | $74,620 | -3% | $77,371 | 490 | #259 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $64,050 | +7% | $66,411 | 310 | #123 |
| Roofer | $62,310 | +24% | $64,607 | 60 | #37 |
| Concrete Finisher | $61,550 | +8% | $63,819 | 100 | #88 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,420 | -0% | $63,684 | 120 | #138 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,380 | +2% | $63,642 | 140 | #152 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,240 | +1% | $62,460 | 180 | #178 |
| Machinist | $60,060 | +5% | $62,274 | 50 | #101 |
| Auto Mechanic | $59,650 | +22% | $61,849 | 350 | #42 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $58,040 | -9% | $60,179 | 60 | #346 |
| Carpenter | $57,160 | +2% | $59,267 | 400 | #180 |
| Painter | $57,060 | +20% | $59,163 | 90 | #64 |
| Drywall Installer | $51,310 | -5% | $53,201 | 50 | #92 |
| Glazier | $50,290 | -9% | $52,144 | 70 | #92 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,930 | +7% | $51,770 | 510 | #126 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $48,710 | -6% | $50,505 | 40 | #250 |
| Welder | $47,720 | -9% | $49,479 | 160 | #325 |
| Maintenance Technician | $47,490 | -2% | $49,240 | 590 | #224 |
| Landscaper | $44,460 | +18% | $46,099 | 490 | #68 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Missoula
The Missoula area has about 61,285 homes. 46% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is about as old as most; 17% were built in 2010 or later. 57% of households own their home, and the median home value is $550,200.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Missoula Government data
In an average year, Missoula has 27 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), including 2 at 100°F or more, 172 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 44 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 43 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 81°F and winter nights 19°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Missoula International Airport, MT station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.2% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Missoula area's population grew 4.7% from 2020 to 2025 (122,904 → 128,698), ranking #107 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +5,611) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Missoula are down 51% from 2021 to 2025 (1,798 → 889). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Missoula area is 18 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 6% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 69% drive alone, 2% take transit and 12% 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.