Montana · Painter
Montana painter prevailing wage, county by county
A painter's prevailing wage on Montana public works is $48.84 an hour in every county that has one (56), for the main classification.
Painter rate in each Montana county, A to Z
| County | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beaverhead CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Big Horn CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Blaine CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Broadwater CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Carbon CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Carter CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Cascade CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Chouteau CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Custer CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Daniels CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Dawson CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Deer Lodge CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Fallon CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Fergus CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Flathead CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Gallatin CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Garfield CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Glacier CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Golden Valley CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Granite CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Hill CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Jefferson CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Judith Basin CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Lake CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Lewis and Clark CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Liberty CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Lincoln CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Madison CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
McCone CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Meagher CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Mineral CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Missoula CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Musselshell CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Park CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Petroleum CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Phillips CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Pondera CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Powder River CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Powell CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Prairie CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Ravalli CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Richland CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Roosevelt CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Rosebud CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Sanders CountyPAINTERS · Missoula County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Sheridan CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Silver Bow CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Stillwater CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Sweet Grass CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Teton CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Toole CountyPAINTERS · Lewis and Clark County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Treasure CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Valley CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Wheatland CountyPAINTERS · Gallatin County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Wibaux CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Yellowstone CountyPAINTERS · Yellowstone County group | $36.00 | $12.84 | $48.84 | Apr 25, 2026 | MTDLI-HWY-2026-04-25 |
Main painter classification in each county (Painters), 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 painter make on prevailing wage in Montana?
$48.84 an hour in every county that has a rate, for the main classification. 4 groups of counties with identical rates and 0 with rates of their own, highest main rate first.
- Yellowstone County group21 counties · PAINTERS$48.84
- Gallatin County group14 counties · PAINTERS$48.84
- Lewis and Clark County group14 counties · PAINTERS$48.84
- Missoula County group7 counties · PAINTERS$48.84
Which counties share a rate
| Counties | Main classification | Base wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | PAINTERS | $36.00 | $48.84 |
| Gallatin County group, 14 localities: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Meagher, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Sweet Grass, Wheatland | PAINTERS | $36.00 | $48.84 |
| 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 | PAINTERS | $36.00 | $48.84 |
| Missoula County group, 7 localities: Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Sanders | PAINTERS | $36.00 | $48.84 |
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 painter pay
What is the painter prevailing wage in Yellowstone County?
$48.84 an hour: a $36.00 base wage plus $12.84 in benefits, under DLI 2026 rates, revised April 25, 2026. Overtime and every painter classification in Yellowstone County.
Does painter prevailing wage include fringe benefits?
Yes. In Yellowstone County the $48.84 total is a $36.00 base wage plus $12.84 in benefits, about 26% of the total. The employer owes the full amount for every hour worked.
Does painter 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 painters 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 painter rate?
DLI often publishes the same painter rates for several counties. Across Montana, the 56 counties with a painter 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).