Montana Unemployment Remains At All-Time Low
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced last week that Montana’s unemployment rate remained at an all-time low of 2.3 percent in May, bucking national trends as the country’s unemployment rate rose from 3.4 to 3.7 percent.
In 2022, average annual wages in Montana grew at the fifth fastest rate in the nation, according to recently released data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
“With our pro-jobs policies and the unparalleled work ethic of Montanans, we continue to outperform states in job creation, wage growth and low unemployment,” Gianforte said.
According to data compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, total employment in Montana, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, added 1,478 jobs in May. In May, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, which measures inflation, rose 0.1 percent overthe- month. Shelter was the largest contributor to the increase, followed by used cars and trucks. The index for all items minus food and energy, also called core inflation, increased by 0.4 percent for the month, with a 5.3 percent increase for the year ending in May.
Roosevelt County ranks 48th in the state with an employment rate of 3.2 percent.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Fallon at 1.4, McCone at 1.5, Carter at 1.6 and Sheridan at 1.7. Tied for fifth at 1.8 percent are Beaverhead, Daniels, Powder River, Sweet Grass and Toole counties. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Glacier at 4.6, Lincoln at 4.3, Sanders at 3.7, Phillips at 3.6 and Big Horn at 3.6.
Richland County ranks 35th at 2.5 percent. Valley is 10th at 1.9 percent.
