HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte Tuesday announced Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8% in July, marking the tenth straight month under 3% and over four consecutive years of unemployment at or below 3.4%, a new record.
“For another consecutive month, Montana ranks in the top five states in the nation with the lowest unemployment rates – a testament to our historic job growth over the last four years,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to welcome historic business investment to the Treasure State and innovate through workforce development initiatives like 406 JOBS for Montanans to seek meaningful employment.”
Montana’s unemployment rate was 1.4% lower than the national unemployment rate, which was 4.2% in July. Montana ranked in the top five states in the nation with the lowest unemployment rates.
Total employment (which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers) increased slightly in July. The construction and retail trade industries added the most jobs over the month, each adding 500 or more jobs. Payroll jobs increased by 500 jobs over the month with losses in government employment.
The month of July marked the fifth consecutive month where the number of unemployed Montanans remained below 16,000 – near the record low of just under 14,000 which was reached in 2023.
