Montana · Carpenter
Montana carpenter prevailing wage, county by county
A carpenter's prevailing wage on Montana public works is $48.38 an hour in every county that has one (56), for the main classification.
Main carpenter classification in each county (Carpenters), DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. "The wage rates applicable to a particular public works project are those in effect at the time the bid specifications are advertised" (ARM 24.17.127). Checked October 25, 2026.
How much does a carpenter make on prevailing wage in Montana?
4 groups of counties with identical rates and 0 with rates of their own, highest main rate first. The table below lists which counties are in each group.
- Yellowstone County group21 counties · CARPENTERS$48.38
- Gallatin County group14 counties · CARPENTERS$48.38
- Lewis and Clark County group14 counties · CARPENTERS$48.38
- Missoula County group7 counties · CARPENTERS$48.38
Which counties pay which rate
| Counties | Main classification | Base + benefit | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone County group, 21 localities: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux, Yellowstone | CARPENTERS | $48.38 | $32.05 |
| Gallatin County group, 14 localities: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Meagher, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Sweet Grass, Wheatland | CARPENTERS | $48.38 | $32.05 |
| Lewis and Clark County group, 14 localities: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Madison, Pondera, Powell, Silver Bow, Teton, Toole | CARPENTERS | $48.38 | $32.05 |
| Missoula County group, 7 localities: Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Sanders | CARPENTERS | $48.38 | $32.05 |
4 groups of counties with identical DLI rates, and 0 counties with rates of their own.
DLI publishes journey-level rates only. Registered apprentices are paid the percentage of this rate set in their apprenticeship program, plus the full fringe benefit (18-2-416(2) MCA); unregistered apprentices get the journey-level rate.
Questions about Montana carpenter pay
What is the carpenter prevailing wage in Yellowstone County?
$48.38 an hour: a $32.05 base wage plus $16.33 in benefits, under DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. Overtime and every carpenter classification in Yellowstone County.
Does carpenter prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Yellowstone County the $48.38 total is a $32.05 base wage plus $16.33 in benefits, about 34% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does carpenter prevailing wage pay overtime in Montana?
Hours over 40 in a week pay at least 1½ times the basic hourly rate. Overtime is calculated on the base rate, not the benefit, and benefits are paid for every hour at the straight-time amount (DLI FAQ). There is no daily overtime.
Do apprentice carpenters get this rate?
DLI publishes journey-level rates only. Registered apprentices are paid the percentage of this rate set in their apprenticeship program, plus the full fringe benefit (18-2-416(2) MCA); unregistered apprentices get the journey-level rate.
Why do some counties have the same carpenter rate?
DLI often publishes the same carpenter rates for several counties. Across Montana, the 56 counties with a carpenter rate fall into 4 distinct sets of rates, and 4 of those sets are shared by more than one county; the largest covers 21 counties (the Yellowstone County group).