HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte Tuesaday announced Montana’s unemployment rate decreased slightly to 3.3 percent in June. Montana’s unemployment rate was lower than the national unemployment rate, which also declined over the month to 4.2 percent.
“Montana continues to rank in the top states with the lowest unemployment rates as business create more good paying jobs and Montanans have more pathways to pursue a meaningful career,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As our labor force grows, we will continue to support the best environment for business to keep our strong momentum.”
Montana’s labor force, total employment (which includes payroll, agricultural, and self‑employed workers) and unemployment all declined over the month. The decline in unemployment was larger than the decline in employment. As a result, the unemployment rate ticked down slightly. The number of unemployed fell by 450 in June and total employment declined by 300 jobs. Payroll jobs declined by 1,100 jobs in June, with the largest declines in transportation, warehousing, and utilities.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in June. This decline in the all-items index was the largest one-month decrease since April 2020 when it fell 0.8 percent. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.5 percent before seasonal adjustment. The energy index was the largest contributor to the monthly all items decrease, more than offsetting increases in other indexes including those for shelter and food. Core inflation, or the index for all items less food and energy, rose 2.6 percent over the last twelve months.
“Montana’s unemployment rate has eased down slightly, signaling that more Montanans are securing jobs. This reflects ongoing hiring activity across key industries and the strengthening of Montana’s workforce,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “Through the Governor’s 406 JOBS initiative, the Department of Labor and Industry and its partners are helping more Montanans explore career pathways and connect to the training and support they need to move into good‑paying, future‑focused jobs.”
The unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s 56 counties is provided below for your convenience. County unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the unadjusted statewide unemployment rate of 3.3%.
| Unemployment Rate | Employment | ||||
| Rank | County | Current Unemployment Rate | Change over Year | Current Employment | Job Change from Last Year |
| 1 | Carter | 1.9 | 0.2 | 656 | -35 |
| 1 | Prairie | 1.9 | 0.2 | 634 | -108 |
| 3 | Powder River | 2.3 | 0.2 | 963 | -15 |
| 4 | Park | 2.4 | -0.2 | 11378 | 1009 |
| 4 | Sheridan | 2.4 | -0.3 | 1650 | -69 |
| 4 | Treasure | 2.4 | 0.7 | 359 | -43 |
| 7 | Beaverhead | 2.5 | 0 | 4598 | -103 |
| 7 | Liberty | 2.5 | 0.6 | 885 | -25 |
| 7 | Meagher | 2.5 | -0.1 | 940 | -25 |
| 10 | Daniels | 2.7 | 0.6 | 690 | -55 |
| 10 | Garfield | 2.7 | 0 | 602 | -51 |
| 10 | Sweet Grass | 2.7 | -0.5 | 1795 | -9 |
| 10 | Teton | 2.7 | -0.1 | 2845 | -90 |
| 10 | Toole | 2.7 | -0.1 | 2130 | -52 |
| 10 | Gallatin | 2.7 | 0.1 | 76951 | -76 |
| 16 | Broadwater | 2.8 | 0.1 | 4028 | 33 |
| 16 | Carbon | 2.8 | -0.1 | 5566 | -69 |
| 16 | Custer | 2.8 | 0.1 | 6179 | -102 |
| 16 | Fallon | 2.8 | 0.2 | 1411 | -23 |
| 16 | Judith Basin | 2.8 | -0.5 | 947 | -51 |
| 16 | Wibaux | 2.8 | 0.5 | 416 | -11 |
| 22 | Fergus | 2.9 | 0 | 5745 | -75 |
| 22 | Jefferson | 2.9 | 0.3 | 6147 | 20 |
| 22 | Missoula | 2.9 | 0 | 70499 | 41 |
| 25 | Valley | 3 | 0 | 3478 | -189 |
| 26 | Dawson | 3.1 | 0.5 | 4056 | -136 |
| 26 | Lewis and Clark | 3.1 | 0.2 | 36780 | 326 |
| 26 | McCone | 3.1 | 0.8 | 840 | -38 |
| 26 | Richland | 3.1 | 0.4 | 5402 | -265 |
| 26 | Flathead | 3.1 | 0 | 60011 | -11 |
| 31 | Chouteau | 3.2 | 0.9 | 2647 | -197 |
| 31 | Golden Valley | 3.2 | 0.5 | 418 | -8 |
| 33 | Stillwater | 3.3 | -0.3 | 4562 | -53 |
| 34 | Yellowstone | 3.4 | 0.2 | 86636 | -124 |
| 34 | Cascade | 3.4 | 0.2 | 37849 | -457 |
| 36 | Hill | 3.6 | 0.1 | 6887 | 128 |
| 36 | Phillips | 3.6 | 0.1 | 1956 | -111 |
| 36 | Ravalli | 3.6 | 0.2 | 20364 | -226 |
| 39 | Lake | 3.7 | 0.1 | 14219 | -167 |
| 40 | Blaine | 3.8 | 0.4 | 2466 | -184 |
| 41 | Deer Lodge | 3.9 | 0.2 | 4264 | -1 |
| 41 | Mineral | 3.9 | 0 | 2196 | -19 |
| 41 | Petroleum | 3.9 | 0.6 | 247 | -16 |
| 41 | Powell | 3.9 | 0.3 | 2442 | -162 |
| 41 | Silver Bow | 3.9 | 0.3 | 17106 | -75 |
| 46 | Pondera | 4.2 | 0.7 | 2327 | -148 |
| 47 | Sanders | 4.8 | -0.2 | 4756 | -122 |
| 48 | Rosebud | 5 | 1.3 | 3471 | -194 |
| 49 | Granite | 5.1 | 0 | 1288 | -79 |
| 49 | Roosevelt | 5.1 | -0.2 | 3528 | -34 |
| 51 | Glacier | 5.2 | 0.3 | 6025 | -46 |
| 51 | Wheatland | 5.2 | 1.2 | 675 | -37 |
| 53 | Musselshell | 5.3 | 0.3 | 1831 | -43 |
| 54 | Lincoln | 5.8 | 0.4 | 8090 | -115 |
| 54 | Madison | 5.8 | 1.2 | 2908 | -394 |
| 56 | Big Horn | 7 | 0.4 | 4090 | -212 |
****** RESERVATION UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ******
The unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s seven reservations is provided below. Reservation unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the unadjusted statewide unemployment rate of 3.3%. Reservation areas overlap with county areas, meaning that unemployed individuals living on a reservation will be included in both the reservation and county totals.
| Unemployment Rate | Employment | ||||
| Rank | Area | Current Unemployment Rate | Change over Year | Current Employment | Job Change from Last Year |
| 1 | Flathead | 4.4 | 0 | 13656 | -166 |
| 2 | Fort Peck | 6.8 | -0.3 | 2976 | -46 |
| 3 | Blackfeet | 6.9 | 0.3 | 4389 | -48 |
| 4 | Rocky Boy’s | 10.1 | 0.8 | 925 | -15 |
| 5 | Northern Cheyenne | 10.8 | 2.2 | 1296 | -71 |
| 6 | Crow | 11.2 | 0.6 | 1965 | -94 |
| 7 | Fort Belknap | 15.1 | 1.1 | 784 | -59 |
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