HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte announced Montana’s unemployment rate ticked down to 3.4 percent in May, lower than the national unemployment rate, which remained unchanged over the month at 4.3 percent.
Montana’s labor force, total employment and unemployment all declined over the month. The number of unemployed fell by 700 in May and total employment declined by 200 jobs. Payroll jobs declined by 2,600 jobs in May, with the largest declines in construction and accommodation/food service.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in May 2026. Over the last twelve months, the all items index increased 4.2 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for energy rose 3.9 percent in May, accounting for over sixty percent of the monthly all items increase. Core inflation, or the index for all items less food and energy, rose 2.9 percent over the last twelve months.
