Here is a comprehensive career guide for Welders considering a move to Great Falls, Montana.

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A Welder’s Guide to Great Falls, Montana

Great Falls isn’t the first city that comes to mind for most welders, but for those looking for a lower cost of living, a tight-knit industrial community, and access to some of the West’s most significant infrastructure projects, it’s a hidden gem. As someone who has watched the local economy shift and stabilize over the decades, I can tell you that welding here is less about flashy tech and more about rugged, essential work—agriculture, energy, and defense.

This guide breaks down what it actually takes to build a career as a welder in the Electric City, from the math of your paycheck to the neighborhoods where you’ll want to live.

The Salary Picture: Where Great Falls Stands

Before you pack your hood, let’s talk numbers. The welding job market in Great Falls is modest but stable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local wage surveys, the median salary for a welder in the metro area is $48,489/year, which breaks down to roughly $23.31/hour.

This sits slightly below the national average of $49,590/year, but that gap closes when you factor in Montana’s lack of state income tax and the significantly lower cost of living. The metro area supports approximately 120 welding jobs, with a 10-year job growth projection of 2%. This isn't a boomtown for welders; it's a steady market. You won't see explosive growth, but you also won't see the massive layoffs common in cyclical oil states.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries in Great Falls are heavily influenced by specialization and certification. General fabrication pays the least, while specialized work in high-pressure systems or structural welding commands a premium.

Experience Level	Typical Hourly Rate	Annual Estimate (Full-Time)
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$18 - $21/hr	$37,440 - $43,680
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$22 - $26/hr	$45,760 - $54,080
Senior/Lead (8-15 years)	$27 - $32/hr	$56,160 - $66,560
Expert/Specialist	$33+/hr	$68,640+

Comparison to Other MT Cities

Great Falls offers a competitive wage relative to the local economy, but it’s important to see where it fits in the state landscape.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	1BR Rent Avg
Great Falls	$48,489	92.6	$745
Billings	$50,120	94.1	$850
Missoula	$46,800	99.8	$1,050
Bozeman	$47,500	108.5	$1,350

Note: Billings has a slightly higher median salary but also a higher rent. Missoula and Bozeman have higher costs of living, often outpacing the wage growth for tradespeople. Great Falls represents the best balance of wage-to-expense ratio in the state.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s run the numbers for a welder earning the median salary of $48,489/year. Montana has no state income tax, but you’ll still pay federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and local taxes if applicable.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Income: $48,489
• Filing Status: Single, Standard Deduction
• Pre-tax Deductions: Basic health insurance ($200/mo), 401(k) contribution (5%)
• Rent: $745/month (Average 1BR in Great Falls)

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$4,041
Federal Tax	~$320	Varies by withholding
FICA (7.65%)	$309
Health Insurance	$200	Employer-subsidized
401(k) (5%)	$202
Net Take-Home Pay	~$3,010
Rent (1BR)	$745	25% of take-home
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	$180	Average for MT winters
Groceries	$350
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Essential in Great Falls
Fuel	$150	Commuting in a spread-out city
Misc/Entertainment	$200
Savings/Buffer	$935

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, but with caveats. The median home price in Great Falls is roughly $285,000. With $935/month in surplus, a welder could save a $20,000 down payment in about two years. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes/insurance) would hover around $1,600/month, which is about 53% of the net take-home pay for a single earner at the median wage. This is high. To comfortably buy a home, a welder would need to be at the Senior/Lead level ($56,000+) or have a dual-income household. Renting is the financially smarter move for entry-level and mid-level welders here.

Where the Jobs Are: Great Falls's Major Employers

The job market here is dominated by a few key sectors: agriculture, defense, and energy. You won't find many "artistic" fabricators; you'll find heavy industrial welders.

1. Montana Precision Products (MPP)

   • Industry: Aerospace & Defense.
   • Details: Located in the West Industrial Park, MPP is a major supplier for the Malmstrom Air Force Base (the only ICBM base in the U.S. not on a military installation) and commercial aerospace. They specialize in precision machined parts and welding for high-stress environments.
   • Hiring Trend: Steady. They value AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel) and D1.6 (Stainless Steel) certifications.

2. Cenovus Energy (Formerly Husky)

   • Industry: Oil & Gas Refining.
   • Details: The Great Falls Refinery is a massive employer. Maintenance welders are always in demand for turnaround work (scheduled maintenance shutdowns). This is high-pressure, often unionized work (USW).
   • Hiring Trend: Cyclical, tied to oil prices. Turnaround work can offer significant overtime, pushing annual earnings well above the median.

3. Great Falls Construction & Ironworks

   • Industry: Structural Steel & Commercial Construction.
   • Details: This is the local giant for structural welding. If you see a new bank, school, or bridge in Great Falls, they likely fabricated it. They work heavily with the Great Falls Construction Council.
   • Hiring Trend: Seasonal. Busy in the warmer months (May-September), slower in winter. Good for building a portfolio of structural work.

4. Montana State University (MSU) - Great Falls

   • Industry: Education & Research.
   • Details: The College of Agriculture has research facilities that require custom fabrication for equipment. While not a massive employer for welders, they hire contract fabricators regularly.
   • Hiring Trend: Intermittent project-based work.

5. Havens Steel (Serving Great Falls)

   • Industry: Structural Steel Fabrication.
   • Details: While based in Kansas, they have a significant presence servicing the Great Falls region, particularly for large infrastructure projects like the 10th Avenue Bridge renovations.
   • Hiring Trend: Project-based. They often partner with local shops for on-site welding.

6. City of Great Falls Public Works

   • Industry: Municipal Government.
   • Details: Maintaining water treatment plants, sewer lines, and public infrastructure requires in-house welding maintenance. These are stable, benefit-heavy government jobs.
   • Hiring Trend: Slow turnover. Jobs open rarely, but when they do, they are highly competitive.

7. Agricultural Fabricators (Local Shops)

   • Industry: Agriculture.
   • Details: Great Falls is surrounded by ranches and farms. Numerous small shops specialize in repairing and building trailers, tanks, and farm implements. While not big names, they are the backbone of the local economy.
   • Hiring Trend: Consistent. Always need skilled TIG welders for aluminum repair on irrigation pivots.

Insider Tip: The "best" jobs are often not advertised. Walk into the industrial parks (West Industrial, Central Industrial) with a resume and a list of your certifications. Great Falls operates on a handshake network. Mentioning you’ve worked on "structural steel for commercial buildings" or "pressure vessels" gets attention.

Getting Licensed in MT

Montana does NOT have a state-specific welding license. However, this does not mean you can work without credentials. The industry relies heavily on third-party certifications.

1. AWS Certification (The Gold Standard):

   • Body: American Welding Society (AWS).
   • Cost: $250 - $400 per certification test (administered at local testing centers or community colleges).
   • Key Certs: D1.1 (Structural Steel), D1.6 (Stainless), D1.2 (Aluminum), and GMAW/FCAW processes.
   • Timeline: You can study on your own and test within weeks. Many employers will sponsor your test if you pass a practical interview.

2. ASME Certification (For Pressure Work):

   • Required for work on boilers, pressure vessels, and piping (common at the Cenovus refinery).
   • Cost: More expensive, often requiring a formal class ($1,000+).
   • Timeline: 2-4 weeks of intensive training.

3. Union Apprenticeship (IBW Local 286):

   • Great Falls falls under International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 286, which covers electrical and some industrial welding in the region.
   • Process: 4-5 year apprenticeship. Paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
   • Timeline: Applications are accepted periodically; the wait can be 6-12 months.

Getting Started: If you are new, enroll in the welding program at Great Falls College MSU. Their program is affordable and well-regarded by local employers. It provides the foundational skills and helps you get AWS certified before you even graduate.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Great Falls is geographically spread out. Living near your employer saves significant time and fuel.

1. West Industrial / Northside

   • Vibe: The industrial heart. Close to MPP, the Refinery, and numerous fabrication shops.
   • Commute: < 10 minutes to most major employers.
   • Rent Estimate: $650 - $800 for a 1BR.
   • Lifestyle: No-nonsense, blue-collar. Close to the Great Falls Tribune and basic amenities.

2. Sun River / Valley View

   • Vibe: Quiet, residential, and affordable. Popular with younger tradespeople and families.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to the industrial parks.
   • Rent Estimate: $700 - $850 for a 1BR.
   • Lifestyle: More suburban feel, close to the Sun River for weekend fishing or hiking.

3. Downtown / Historic District

   • Vibe: Walkable, with restaurants and the C.M. Russell Museum. Older buildings, character.
   • Commute: 5-10 minutes to the east side industrial areas.
   • Rent Estimate: $800 - $950 for a 1BR (trendier, higher demand).
   • Lifestyle: For welders who want a social life outside work. Walkable to bars and venues.

4. Southside / Hillcrest

   • Vibe: Family-oriented, established neighborhoods with older homes.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to most jobs.
   • Rent Estimate: $750 - $900 for a 1BR.
   • Lifestyle: Quiet, safe, close to Gibson Park and the Great Falls Clinic.

5. Uptown / 10th Avenue South

   • Vibe: Commercial corridor with residential pockets. More traffic, more convenience.
   • Commute: 5-10 minutes to anywhere.
   • Rent Estimate: $700 - $900 for a 1BR.
   • Lifestyle: You have everything nearby—grocery, hardware, auto parts. The ultimate convenience location.

Insider Tip: Avoid the immediate area around the Great Falls International Airport for housing. It’s noisy and isolated. Stick to the neighborhoods listed above.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Great Falls, career growth isn’t about climbing a corporate ladder; it’s about accumulating specialized skills and moving into supervisory or consulting roles.

Specialty Premiums:

• TIG (GTAW) Welding: Essential for aluminum and stainless work (agriculture, aerospace). Can add $3-$5/hour to your base rate.
• Underwater Welding: While not common locally, those with this certification can work on the Missouri River dams or remote infrastructure projects, commanding rates of $50+/hour.
• Pipe Welding (ASME IX): Critical for refinery and power plant work. This is the highest-paid specialty in the region.

Advancement Paths:

1. Welder II -> Lead Welder -> Shop Foreman: The most common path. Requires leadership skills and deep knowledge of the shop’s workflow.
2. Field Welder -> Project Manager: Move from the booth to managing on-site construction projects for firms like Great Falls Construction.
3. Inspector (CWI): Become a Certified Welding Inspector. This is a pivot from manual labor to quality assurance. It requires passing the AWS CWI exam (approx. $1,100), but inspectors in Great Falls can earn $70,000+.

10-Year Outlook:
With a 2% growth rate, the market won’t explode. However, Great Falls is a hub for energy infrastructure. As the U.S. focuses on grid modernization and domestic energy production, the need for maintenance welders at refineries, pipelines, and power substations will remain solid. The key to longevity here is adaptability—being able to switch from structural steel to pipe to aluminum as projects demand.

The Verdict: Is Great Falls Right for You?

Great Falls is a pragmatic choice. It’s for welders who value financial stability and a low-stress lifestyle over high-octane career climbing.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your paycheck goes much further than in Bozeman or Missoula.	Limited Job Market: Only 120 jobs; competition can be fierce for the best positions.
No State Income Tax: Keeps more of your $48,489 median salary in your pocket.	Weather: Harsh, long winters can limit outdoor work and affect morale.
Stable Employers: Defense (Malmstrom) and energy (Cenovus) provide relative stability.	Isolation: 2+ hours to the nearest major city (Helena). Limited nightlife/amenities.
Outdoor Access: World-class hunting, fishing, and hiking right outside the city.	Growth Ceiling: Without moving into management or inspection, pay tops out around $32/hr.
Tight-Knit Community: You’ll know your coworkers and neighbors. Networking is easy.	Reliance on Vehicles: Public transit is minimal. You need a reliable truck/car.

Final Recommendation:
Move to Great Falls if: You are a mid-level welder (3-7 years) seeking a lower cost of living, you value outdoor recreation, and you want a stable job in energy or defense without the extreme volatility of oil fields in North Dakota or Texas.

Think twice if: You are a new graduate looking for a vibrant social scene, or if you are aiming for the highest possible salary in the welding field without pursuing management or inspection certifications.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to know someone to get a welding job in Great Falls?
A: It helps immensely. The industrial community is small. Walking into shops with a resume, introducing yourself, and mentioning any local connections (even if it's just knowing someone who works at the refinery) can fast-track you past online applications.

Q: What is the weather really like for a welder?
A: Winters are cold (often below 0°F) with snow. Outdoor welding is limited from November to March. Most welders work in heated shops during winter. If you specialize in field welding, expect significant downtime or travel to warmer sites during the coldest months.

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