How much does a Welder make in Montana?

The average Welder salary in Montana is around $68,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Montana state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $53,522 annually ($4,460/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Welder in Montana?

On a $68,000 salary in Montana, your take-home pay is approximately $53,522/year or $4,460/month. Federal tax: $6,130. State tax: $3,147. FICA: $0.00.

Is $68,000 a good Welder salary?

$68,000 is a competitive salary for a Welder — above the national median. In Montana, demand for this role is active.

How do Montana taxes affect Welder salaries?

Montana levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $68,000 is $3,147. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 21.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Welders?

2% growth through 2032 (slower than average) overall; pipeline + Permian rig + underwater + aerospace TIG specialty growing faster. Related roles include: Pipe Welder, Structural Welder, Rig Welder, Underwater Welder, Aerospace TIG Welder, Welding Inspector, Welding Supervisor.

How can a Welder in Montana reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Trades

Welder Salary in Montana (2026)

The average Welder in Montana earns around $68,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $53,522/year ($4,460/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$53,522
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$4,460
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,059
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$26/hr
Federal Tax	$6,130
State Tax	$3,147
FICA Taxes	$5,202
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	21.29%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Key terms:···

Welder Salary Ranges in Montana

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$40,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$60,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$130,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Welders earn the same — not even close

Montana's welder market is anchored by Phillips 66 + ExxonMobil + CHS Inc Laurel refineries (the substantial Billings + Laurel refining cluster + the substantial Phillips 66 Billings ~58K barrel/day + the substantial ExxonMobil Billings ~60K barrel/day + the substantial CHS Inc Laurel ~55K barrel/day + the substantial Billings refining process welder + ASME Section IX + API 510 + API 570 + the substantial Billings prevailing wage), Stillwater Mining Sibanye-Stillwater (the substantial only US palladium + platinum source + the substantial Stillwater Columbus + Nye Sweetgrass County mine + the substantial Stillwater ~1,500 employees + the substantial Stillwater smelter + refinery welder + the substantial Stillwater post-2017 Sibanye acquisition + the substantial post-2020 palladium price boom), Malmstrom AFB Great Falls (~5K Malmstrom personnel + the substantial 341st Missile Wing Minuteman III ICBM + the substantial Malmstrom 150 Minuteman III silos + the substantial post-2027 Sentinel ICBM LGM-35A beddown + the substantial Malmstrom $3B+ Sentinel infrastructure modernization + the substantial Malmstrom cleared welder + cleared facility + the substantial Malmstrom ground support equipment GSE), Boeing Helena composites (the substantial Boeing Helena composite welder + AS9100 aerospace), plus substantial MT pipeline + structural + the substantial Bakken oil + gas cross-border pipeline (eastern MT Sidney + Glendive + the substantial Williston ND cross-border + the substantial Bakken Williston Basin x-ray + 6G + API 1104 pipeline welder + the substantial Bakken post-2020 oil + gas recovery) + the substantial BNSF Railway MT interchange + the substantial MTDOT bridge + the substantial MT mining + the substantial MT ranch + farm fabrication welder.

Senior Refinery Welder (Phillips 66 / Exxon / CHS)

$72,000–$118,000+ OT

Phillips 66 + ExxonMobil + CHS Laurel refineries · process welder · ASME Section IX + API 510 + API 570

Senior Mining Welder (Stillwater)

$62,000–$98,000+ OT

Stillwater Mining Sibanye palladium + platinum · smelter + refinery welder + the substantial Stillwater Columbus + Nye

Aerospace Cleared Welder (Malmstrom AFB)

$62,000–$95,000+ OT

Malmstrom AFB · 341st Missile Wing Minuteman III + post-2027 Sentinel ICBM cleared welder + AWS D17.1 aerospace

Bakken Pipeline Welder (X-Ray Certified)

$75,000–$148,000+ OT

Bakken pipeline welder · eastern MT Sidney + Glendive + Williston ND cross-border · x-ray + 6G + API 1104

Senior Boilermaker (Local 4 Regional)

$72,000–$128,000+ OT

Boilermakers Local 4 regional + power + industrial boiler · Billings refining cluster · prevailing wage

Senior Aerospace Welder (Boeing Helena)

$58,000–$92,000+ OT

Boeing Helena composite welder · AS9100 aerospace + AWS D17.1

Senior Structural Welder (AISC / Bridge)

$50,000–$78,000+ OT

AISC structural welder · MTDOT bridge + the substantial MT infrastructure + Yellowstone River + Missouri River

Agricultural Equipment / Ranch Welder

$48,000–$78,000+ OT

MT ag equipment welder + the substantial MT ranch + farm fabrication + the substantial MT specialty

Mid-Career Welder (3-6 yrs)

$38,000–$55,000+ OT

Mid-career welder transitioning to AWS + 6G + API certified · MT industrial shops

Entry Welder / Apprentice

$28,000–$42,000+ OT

Entry welder apprentice · MSU-Northern + Great Falls College + Missoula College + Boilermakers Local 4 apprenticeship pipeline

Worth knowing: Montana's Phillips 66 + ExxonMobil + CHS Inc Laurel refineries + Stillwater Mining only US palladium + Malmstrom AFB Minuteman III + Bakken oil cross-border pipeline welder concentration is a distinctive Northern Rockies refining + mining + aerospace + oilfield welder cluster most national welder-career surveys understate. Phillips 66 Billings refinery + ExxonMobil Billings refinery + CHS Inc Laurel refinery (the substantial Billings + Laurel refining cluster + the substantial Phillips 66 Billings ~58K barrel/day + the substantial ExxonMobil Billings ~60K barrel/day + the substantial CHS Inc Laurel ~55K barrel/day + the substantial Billings refining process welder + the substantial Billings ASME Section IX + API 510 pressure vessel + API 570 piping + the substantial Billings refining prevailing wage + the substantial Billings refining Boilermakers Local 4 + UA Local 41) supports specialized refinery welder work — Billings refinery senior welders clear $72-118K + OT with ASME Section IX + API 510 + API 570 + the substantial refinery prevailing wage. Stillwater Mining Sibanye-Stillwater (the substantial only US palladium + platinum source + the substantial Stillwater Columbus + Nye Sweetgrass County mine + the substantial Stillwater ~1,500 employees + the substantial Stillwater smelter + refinery + the substantial post-2017 Sibanye merger + the substantial post-2020 palladium price boom + the substantial Stillwater East Boulder mine + Montana Mining Association) supports specialized mining + smelter welder work. Malmstrom AFB Great Falls (~5K Malmstrom personnel + the substantial 341st Missile Wing Minuteman III ICBM + the substantial Malmstrom 150 Minuteman III silos across MT + the substantial post-2027 Sentinel ICBM LGM-35A beddown + the substantial Malmstrom $3B+ Sentinel infrastructure modernization + the substantial Malmstrom cleared welder + cleared facility + the substantial Malmstrom GSE ground support equipment welder) supports specialized aerospace cleared welder work — Malmstrom cleared welders clear $62-95K with AWS D17.1 aerospace + cleared facility access. The substantial Bakken oil cross-border pipeline welder market (eastern MT Sidney + Glendive + Lambert + the substantial Williston ND cross-border + the substantial Bakken Williston Basin x-ray + 6G + API 1104 pipeline + the substantial Bakken post-2020 oil + gas recovery + the substantial Bakken production at 1.2M+ bpd) supports specialized Bakken pipeline welder work — Bakken pipeline welders clear $75-148K with x-ray + 6G + API 1104 + the substantial Bakken premium rates, comparable to ND Williston wages. Boeing Helena composites (the substantial Boeing Helena composite welder + AS9100 aerospace + AWS D17.1) supports specialized aerospace composite welder work. Boilermakers Local 4 regional + United Association Plumbers Pipefitters Local 41 Billings + IBEW Local 233 Billings + Ironworkers Local 14 Spokane WA cross-border + the substantial MT building trades operate substantial collective bargaining at MT industrial + refining + aerospace prevailing wage rates — MT is NOT a Right-to-Work state, meaning union security clauses are permitted + the substantial MT building trades retain prevailing-wage public works contracts. AWS Certified Welder + 6G + API 1104 + ASME Section IX + AWS D1.1 + AWS D17.1 aerospace + API 510 + API 570 + cleared facility cert drive 30-60% wage premium. MSU-Northern Havre + Great Falls College MSU + Missoula College + Bitterroot College + Helena College + Boilermakers Local 4 apprenticeship pipeline. MT progressive 4.7%/5.9% + MT 0% state sales tax + MT NO estate tax + MT NOT a RTW state anchor the MT welder proposition.