Montana Maintains Low Unemployment with Rate Holding Below 3% for Six Months

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte announced last Friday that Montana’s unemployment rate has sustained a level below 3% for six consecutive months, a signal of the state’s strong economic health. In March, the unemployment rate slightly decreased to 2.7%, continuing a 45-month streak of being at or below 3.4%.

“For six months, Montana’s unemployment rate has remained below 3%, with nearly two job openings for every unemployed worker,” Governor Gianforte stated. “Through our efforts to lower taxes and remove red tape, we have created an environment that empowers entrepreneurs and businesses to invest and create good-paying jobs for Montanans across our state.”

In comparison to the national rate, which was 4.2% in March, Montana’s rate was 1.5% lower, highlighting its competitive economic posture. The total employment in the state saw only a slight decrease in March, offset by a gain of 1,500 payroll jobs, led by 1,200 new jobs in the construction industry. Retail trade and the arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors also experienced significant job additions.

The consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) saw a marginal increase of 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis in March. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index has risen 2.4%, with core inflation rising by 2.8%.

Additional reports and analytical data concerning Montana’s employment and economic conditions for April 2025 will be presented on May 21st, as confirmed by the Labor Market Information report schedule.

The state provides detailed unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s 56 counties and seven reservations, available on the Labor Market Information website at www.lmi.mt.gov and specific job tracking at www.lmi.mt.gov/home/job-tracking.

For those seeking more in-depth analysis, including industry employment levels and background on the unemployment rate, the state’s Department of Labor & Industry encourages visiting their Data and Operations Bureau or contacting them directly at 406-444-4100 for detailed inquiries.