Montana Hits Historic Milestone With Unbelievably Low Unemployment

Montana's unemployment numbers have remained at a record low for quite some time.

The governor's office recently announced unemployment has been at or below 3.4% for the 40th consecutive month.

To put it in perspective, the national average is 4.1%.

Pro-Jobs Policies Drive Montana’s Success

Governor Greg Gianforte attributes this sustained economic success to pro-business and pro-family policies enacted since 2020.

“Since 2020, Montanans have consistently said they want pro-jobs, pro-family, pro-business policies,” Gov. Gianforte stated. “Working with the legislature, we’ve delivered. We must build on our momentum by helping hardworking taxpayers keep more of what they earn, recruiting new investment, and creating more good-paying jobs so that every Montanan can reach the American dream.”

Job Growth Fuels Workforce Expansion

Montana's workforce has continued to grow, with over 11,000 payroll jobs added this year.

Most of those jobs fall within healthcare, retail trade, and construction.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry reported that the labor force reached a record high of 580,000 people in 2023, with more than 10,000 new workers entering the workforce last year alone.

Inflation Trends Impact Montanans

Although unemployment has remained low, inflation continues to impact consumers.

In October, the consumer price index for all urban consumers rose by 0.2% for the fourth consecutive month.

The all-items index also increased by 2.6% over the past year, with inflation excluding food and energy climbing by 3.3%.

County Unemployment Insights

Unemployment rates across Montana’s 56 counties vary, reflecting localized economic trends.

The statewide unadjusted unemployment rate is currently 2.5%.

For detailed county-level unemployment data, visit Montana's Job Tracking page.