Trade Schools
This page compiles information about the top schools that offer electrician training in Montana.
The basic skills for this trade can be learned during high school, if dual enrollment or shop classes are available or after graduation, at a community college or trade school.
Apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction are also available.
Program duration varies between less than one year and more than four years, depending on the school and the credential you want to achieve.
It’s up to you to decide what format fits your schedule, lifestyle, and preferences best.
1Montana Technological University
About the School
Montana Technological University provides educational programs in nursing, health, and professional fields.
The university provides career-ready and transfer programs.
Certificate, associate degrees, community education, and customized training is available at the university.
Montana Technological University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The university provides a Pre-Apprenticeship Line Program.
This one-semester program prepares students for groundsman and apprentice positions in the line trade.
Students enrolled in this apprenticeship learn how to install, construct, maintain, and repair electrical power line systems.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age before the first two weeks of the semester of study are complete.
Official high school or college transcripts are also required as part of the admissions process.
Potential students also have to pass a DOT physical test.
The curriculum covers the following topics:
- Introduction to the Utility Industry
- Math for the Utility Industry
- Electrical for the Utility Industry
- Safety and Certifications
- Pole Yard
In total, this program includes 30 credits.
Students attend classes 40 hours per week.
Contact Information
- Address: 1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701
- Phone: 800-445-8324
- Website: https://www.mtech.edu
2Montana State University Billings
About the School
Montana State University Billings offers a variety of educational programs that support students’ needs.
The university’s catalog includes classes in healthcare, automotive, construction, skilled trades, and a variety of other fields.
Tuition and fees sum up to $1,440 per year for 1-5 credits and to $4,110 for programs that include 12 credits or more.
Montana State University Billings is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
Montana State University Billings offers an Instrument and Electrical Technician pathway that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree.
The degree covers knowledge of basic electrical systems, programmable logic controllers, and the skills needed to inspect, operate, and repair instrumentation systems.
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Introduction to Computers
- Fundamentals of Process Technology
- Introduction to Industrial Power Systems
- AC/DC Electronics
- Instrument and Control Systems
- Introduction to Hydraulics
- Electric Motor Controls
- Digital Electronics
- And many other subjects
In total, the Instrument and Electrical Technician A.A.S. program available at Montana State University Billings includes 61 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101
- Phone: 406.657.2011
- Website: https://www.msubillings.edu
3Helena College- University of Montana
About the School
Helena College- University of Montana offers training programs in a variety of areas of interest.
Tuition is $369.43 per credit hour.
The total cost depends on the program and the degree it leads to.
Helena College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes programs such as:
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Maintenance
- Diesel Technology
- Metals Technology
- And more
The Automotive Technology program includes classes on a variety of topics, including Introduction to Automotive Electronics, Automotive Engine Repair, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and more.
The Aviation Maintenance program costs $12,285 approximately and leads to an Associate in Applied Science.
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Mathematics and Basic Physics
- Basic Electricity
- Materials and Processes
- Technical Mathematics
- Aircraft Electric Systems
- Technical Wiring
- Reciprocating Engine Systems
- Engine Electrical Systems/Auxiliary Power Unit
- And more
To qualify for admission, applicants need:
- Proof of immunizations
- Official high school transcripts or GED scores
Contact Information
- Address: 1115 N. Roberts Street (Donaldson Campus Building)
- Phone: (406) 447-6900
- Website: https://helenacollege.edu
4Flathead Valley Community College
About the School
Flathead Valley Community College includes academic programs that prepare students for employment in a variety of industries.
Tuition is $138.20 per credit hour for in-district students.
Additional fees bring the total in-district cost to $188.45
Programs are available at the Flathead Valley and Lincoln County campuses.
Flathead Valley Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes Electrical Technology, Associate of Applied Science, and Certificate of Applied Science programs.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment in the field of electrical wiring.
Students learn the skills needed for projects on residential, commercial, and industrial construction sites.
After two semesters of study, students can earn a Certificate in Applied Science.
After four semesters, they meet the requirements for an Associate in Applied Science degree.
The Electrical Technology curriculum includes the following required courses:
- Basic Electricity
- Basic Industrial Controls
- Basic Wiring
- Electrical Drafting
- Extended Technical Mathematics
- Introduction to CAD
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Electric Code Study- Residential
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 225 Commerce Way, Libby, MT 59923
- Phone: (406) 293-2721
- Website: https://www.fvcc.edu
5Gallatin College
About the School
Gallatin College provides a variety of programs and certificates.
Tuition is $112.40 per credit for resident students.
Additional fees bring the total cost to $237.69 per credit.
More than 250 programs are available at the college.
The programs help students acquire the skills that will make them eligible for employment fast.
Gallatin College complements the four-year programs at Montana University.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes two-year and one-year degree programs.
Two-year degrees are available in the following fields:
- Aviation Electronics Technology
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Photonics and Laser Technology
- And more
One-year certificates are also offered in Carpentry, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Welding Technology, and a wide range of other topics.
The Aviation Electronics Technology curriculum includes courses on:
- Aviation Electronics Fundamentals
- AC/DC Electronics with Lab
- Aircraft Electrical Systems
- Circuits Lab
- Digital Electronics
- Advanced Wiring and Troubleshooting
- And more
In total, the program provides 64 credits.
If you want to further your studies, after completing an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts, you can transfer to a bachelor’s degree at Montana University.
Montana University also provides an Electrical Engineering program for graduate students.
This program can lead to a Master of Science and Master of Engineering.
Students enrolled in this pathway explore cutting-edge topics in the field in innovative research and lab centers.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 172190, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Phone: 1-888-MSU-CATS
- Website: https://gallatin.montana.edu
6IBEW Local 532
IBEW Local 532 provides Inside and Line Apprenticeship programs.
Courses Offered
The Line Apprenticeship program can be completed in three and a half years.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school graduate or GED
- Have a valid driver’s license
An Inside Apprenticeship program is also available.
Interviews with the Apprenticeship Committee will also take place as part of the admissions process.
When the interviews are completed, each applicant is placed on a list depending on the local score- which is determined by taking into account the interview, grades, past work experience, and other things included in the applicant’s file.
Training and Journeyworker Upgrade Classes are also available on the following topics:
- National Electrical Code & Transformers
- AC Theory Refresher Course
- Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- Energy Storage Systems
- Point to Point- Solar PV Basics
Contact Information
- Address: 5200 Midland Road, Billings MT
- Phone: (406) 248-9119
- Website: http://ibew532.com
7Independent Electrical Contractors
About the School
Independent Electrical Contractors offers training for more than 2,500 electrical apprentices and licensed electricians per year.
During the apprenticeship, trainees earn wages from their employer and work full-time in the field.
The program usually results in no cost to the apprentice at the time of registration.
Apprentices receive a raise every six months or after every 1,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Classes take place one time per week.
The program also awards credits toward Bachelors’s or Associates’s degrees.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Have reliable transportation
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be physically capable of performing the work of the trade
Applicants who don’t pass a Math Assessment have to take a three-night math module.
Tuition fees range from $600 to $1,000 per semester.
Books cost between $400-$600 per year.
A fast-track course that covers two curriculum years (288 classroom hours) in one school year is also available at the Independent Electrical Contractors.
Those interested in the fast track course are recommended to have at least 6,000 on-the-job training hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 11429 Pearl St. Northglenn, CO 80233
- Phone: 303-853-4886
- Website: https://iecrm.org
8Fort Peck Community College
About the School
Fort Peck Community College provides one-year certificate programs designed to equip students with entry-level skills in specific occupations.
Tuition is $70 per credit.
Total program cost varies depending on the degree the program leads to and the number of credits required for graduation.
The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The following vocational certificates are available at Fort Peck Community College:
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel Technology
- Digital Technology
- Welding Technology
- And more
Associates in Applied Science are also available in Automotive Technology and Information/Networking Technology, as well as a variety of other fields.
The Automotive Technology program includes courses on Introduction to Automotive Service, Electrical, Basic Engine Diagnostics, Applied Lab Experience, and many other topics.
The Diesel Technology program available at the college also includes classes in Electrical, Heavy Duty Power Trains, Heavy Duty Chassis, and many other subjects.
Contact Information
- Address: 605 Indian Ave, Poplar, MT 59255
- Phone: (406) 768-6300
- Website: https://www.fpcc.edu
9American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations
About the School
The Montana AFL-CIO is a federation of unions that promote better working conditions for all workers.
A variety of apprenticeship programs are offered through partnerships between unions and employers.
There are two different types of training programs available in Montana:
- Apprenticeship training
- Journeyman upgrade training
The apprenticeships combine classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Apprentices learn through classroom instruction and hands-on learning for a defined period each year.
They are also employed by a union partner for the paid, on-the-job training part of the program.
The apprenticeship programs are registered with the State of Montana Apprenticeship & Training program.
After completing the program, students receive a certificate that identifies them as skilled journeymen in their trade.
Classes that help licensed journeymen stay up-to-date with their training are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 210 E Lyndale Avenue, Helena, MT
- Phone: 406-442-1708
- Website: https://www.mtaflcio.org
10CSI Workforce Development & Training
About the School
Located in the neighboring state of Idaho, CSI Workforce Development & Training provides apprenticeship opportunities and custom training programs.
Courses Offered
The Electrical apprenticeship offered by CSI Workforce Development & Training is a four-year program built to provide students with hands-on experience through on-the-job training while also learning about this trade in school.
Idaho has a reciprocal journeyman license agreement with several states, including Montana.
Hybrid classes are available in Twin Falls, Burley, or Hailey.
Online options are also offered.
To qualify for admission to the program applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Work under the supervision of an Electrical Journeyman or Master Electrician
- Apply for an Apprentice Electrical License through the State Electrical Bureau
During the program, students take 144 hours of class per year.
The training covers topics such as:
- Trade Mathematics
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- National Electrical Code Requirements
- Control Theory
The program costs $845 per person per year.
Students also need books, which are not included in the program tuition cost.
Scholarships are available.
The courses are approved by Idaho Launch funding.
Students complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training per year.
During this time, apprentices gain diverse experience in residential, industrial, and commercial areas of the electrical industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 315 Falls Avenue, PO Box 1238, Twin Falls, ID, 83303-1238
- Phone: (208) 732-6310
- Website: https://workforce.csi.edu
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 430 | $67,760 | $32.58 | $91,070 | $43,680 |
| Great Falls, MT | 130 | $68,160 | $32.77 | $93,970 | $45,620 |
| Missoula, MT | 290 | $65,200 | $31.35 | $87,880 | $44,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
The Montana region provides plenty of educational alternatives for those who want to start a career in the electrician trade.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and gather information about all the relevant factors before deciding where to enroll.
