Montana Maintains Low Unemployment Ranking Third-Lowest in the Nation

HELENA, MT – Montana’s unemployment rate remained steady at 2.7% in April, maintaining the state’s position among the lowest in the nation while extending a remarkable 46-month streak of unemployment rates below 3.4%.

The April figure, unchanged from March, ranks Montana third-lowest nationally behind South Dakota and North Dakota, according to data released Tuesday by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. The state’s unemployment rate sits well below the national average of 3.9%.

Montana has maintained unemployment below 3.4% for 46 consecutive months, a streak that began in July 2021.

Inflation Pressures Continue

While unemployment remains low, Montanans continue to face inflationary pressures. The Consumer Price Index increased 0.2% in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, with shelter costs accounting for nearly half of the monthly increase. Annual inflation stood at 2.3%, while core inflation (excluding food and energy) reached 2.8%.

Employment Changes by Sector

Several sectors experienced notable employment changes in April:

Sectors gaining jobs:

• Professional and business services: +1,758 jobs
• Financial activities: +548 jobs
• Information: +490 jobs
• Educational and health services: +340 jobs

Sectors losing jobs:

• Construction: -1,020 jobs
• Trade, transportation, and utilities: -759 jobs
• Manufacturing: -170 jobs
• Natural resources and mining: -131 jobs

Regional Unemployment Variations

Unemployment rates varied significantly across Montana’s counties and regions in April.

Lowest unemployment rates:

• Richland County: 1.6%
• Daniels County: 1.7%
• Fallon County: 1.8%
• Petroleum County: 1.8%
• Wibaux County: 1.8%

Highest unemployment rates:

The highest unemployment rates in Montana are found on the state’s seven reservations, where rates ranged from 3.9% to 10.8%.

• Glacier County: 7.8%
• Roosevelt County: 6.3%
• Blaine County: 6.1%
• Big Horn County: 5.9%
• Phillips County: 5.8%

County Job Changes

While most counties maintained low unemployment rates, some experienced significant employment changes:

Largest job gains:

• Yellowstone County: +1,279 jobs
• Missoula County: +540 jobs
• Lewis and Clark County: +276 jobs

Largest job losses:

• Gallatin County: -3,129 jobs
• Cascade County: -564 jobs
• Flathead County: -520 jobs

“With more Montanans working than ever before, we’re continuing our historic stretch of near record low unemployment and leading the nation with the third lowest rate,” Governor Greg Gianforte said in a statement. “As we work to put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Montanans through our historic tax cuts, our economy continues to grow as businesses create more good-paying jobs.”

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry will release its next Labor Market Information report on Tuesday, June 24, with unemployment data for May 2025.