Quick answer: The median carpenter in Montana earns $28.28/hr — about $58,820 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $77,000+. To hire one, a carpentry business typically bills $60–$85 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what carpenters earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Montana compares to other states.
Carpenter income in Montana (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Montana's ~4,030 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $20.68 | ~$3,585 | ~$43,014 |
| Median (typical) | $28.28 | ~$4,902 | $58,820 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $37.09 | ~$6,429 | ~$77,147 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a carpenter takes home. What a carpentry business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median carpenter wage (earned) | ~$28/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$85/hr |
Where Montana ranks
Montana pays carpenters 3% below the national median, ranking 28th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| Montana (28th) | $28.28 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
Carpenter rates by Montana metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median carpenter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $30.02/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Billings | $28.34/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Great Falls | $28.27/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Helena | $28.12/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $28.12/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $27.96/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Missoula | $27.48/hr | $60–$80/hr |
What common carpentry jobs cost in Montana
At Montana billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Montana range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $100–$400 |
| Interior door installation | $150–$475 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $500–$2,450 |
| Crown molding installation | $400–$1,450 |
| Deck construction | $3,000–$9,500 |
| Framing (per project) | $1,000–$4,900 |
| Stair repair / build | $500–$2,450 |
| Cabinet installation | $400–$1,450 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $200–$775 |
| Subfloor repair | $300–$1,175 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in Montana
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against Montana's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $38.44/hr | $85–$115/hr |
| Electrician | $36.90/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| HVAC technician | $29.26/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Roofer | $28.38/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Carpenter | $28.28/hr | $60–$85/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free carpenter estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do carpenters need a license in Montana?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Montana contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in Montana, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in Montana?
The median carpenter in Montana earns about $58,820 a year ($28.28/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level carpenters earn around $43,000 and the most experienced earn $77,000 or more.
Can a carpenter make $100,000 a year in Montana?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of carpenters in Montana earn about $77,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own carpentry business and billing $60–$85/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do carpenters charge per hour in Montana?
In 2025, most Montana carpenters bill $60–$85 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $28/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do carpenters earn more in Montana than nationally?
Montana's median carpenter wage is about 3% below the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 28th of 51 states.
Which Montana city pays carpenters the most?
Bozeman, at a $30.02/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for carpenters.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.