Quick answer: The median HVAC technician in Montana earns $29.26/hr — about $60,850 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $81,000+. To hire one, an HVAC company typically bills $65–$90 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit — and more in higher-cost metros like Bozeman.
Here's the full picture: what HVAC technicians earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Montana compares to other states.
Hvac technician income in Montana (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Montana's ~1,230 hvac mechanics, and installers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $20.14 | ~$3,491 | ~$41,891 |
| Median (typical) | $29.26 | ~$5,071 | $60,850 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $39.05 | ~$6,769 | ~$81,224 |
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 HVAC technician takes home. What a HVAC company 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 HVAC technician wage (earned) | ~$29/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$90/hr |
Where Montana ranks
Montana pays HVAC technicians right at the national median, ranking 26th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $40.57 |
| Montana (26th) | $29.26 |
| National median | $29.33 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.13 |
Hvac technician rates by Montana metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median HVAC technician wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $35.08/hr | $75–$105/hr |
| Helena | $30.13/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Billings | $29.92/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Great Falls | $29.17/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Missoula | $28.96/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $27.68/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $23.01/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Bozeman is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for HVAC technicians, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common HVAC 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 |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $75–$150 |
| AC tune-up / maintenance | $100–$250 |
| Refrigerant recharge | $150–$450 |
| Capacitor / part replacement | $150–$500 |
| Central AC replacement | $3,500–$7,500 installed |
| Furnace replacement | $3,000–$6,500 installed |
| Full system replacement | $5,000–$12,000 installed |
| Ductwork repair | $300–$1,000 |
| Thermostat installation | $150–$400 |
| Mini-split installation | $2,000–$5,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How HVAC technicians compare to other trades in Montana
Here's how HVAC technician 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 HVAC technician estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do HVAC technicians need a license in Montana?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Montana contractor & trade licensing to check whether HVAC technicians need a state license in Montana, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do HVAC technicians make in Montana?
The median HVAC technician in Montana earns about $60,850 a year ($29.26/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level HVAC technicians earn around $42,000 and the most experienced earn $81,000 or more.
Can a HVAC technician make $100,000 a year in Montana?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of HVAC technicians in Montana earn about $81,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own HVAC company and billing $65–$90/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do HVAC technicians charge per hour in Montana?
In 2025, most Montana HVAC technicians bill $65–$90 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $29/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do HVAC technicians earn more in Montana than nationally?
Montana pays HVAC technicians right about the national median of $29.33/hr, ranking 26th of 51 states.
Which Montana city pays HVAC technicians the most?
Bozeman, at a $35.08/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for HVAC technicians.
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.