Electrician Salary in Helena, MT: $80,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Helena, MT earns a median $80,430/year (≈ $38.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $84,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $80,430, the electrician salary in Helena reflects a robust financial landscape, notably surpassing the national median of $64,530 by approximately 24.64%. Salary ranges vary significantly from $50,611 at the 10th percentile to as high as $84,096 for those in the 90th percentile. This information is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wages Survey data, indicating that pursuing specialties, such as industrial controls and PLC work, can lead to higher compensation. With an emphasis on skilled trades in Helena, these specialized electricians are well-positioned to leverage their expertise in a competitive job market that values advanced technical skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,611 | $24.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,845 | $30.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,870 | $39.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,096 | $40.43 |
Median Salary Position
24.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,485 (2026 est.). At $80,430, the local median is 24.64% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Helena Electrician Pay Compares
Helena median: $80,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,530 | +24.64% more |
Electricians in Helena, MT earn a median of $80,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.64% higher than the national median of $64,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $80,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,066 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,023
2025 BLS Actual
$78,760
2026 Current Est.
$80,430
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,023 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,834 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,766 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $70,023 (2019) to $78,760 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,112 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,611 – $62,845 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,845 – $80,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,430 – $82,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,870 – $84,096 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Helena
In the Helena job market, approximately 240 electricians are currently employed, navigating a cost of living index of 95.675, which is below the national average and positively impacts take-home pay. Employers such as union electrical contractors offer the highest wages, particularly for those who align with IBEW standards, while non-union contractors might focus on residential jobs with generally lower compensation. The disparity between lower and higher-paying electrician roles stems from several factors, including the benefits provided under union contracts, specializations—such as those in industrial settings—and licensing requirements that elevate earning potential. Electricians can maximize their pay in Helena by pursuing advanced credentials, obtaining master and contractor licenses, and staying informed about booming sectors like renewable energy and data centers, which are rapidly becoming key employers in the area.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,760 for electriciansin the Helena metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov