Montana Maintains Near-Record Low Unemployment for Four Consecutive Years

Ranked among top 5 states for lowest unemployment

HELENA, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte on July 18 announced Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8% in June, marking the ninth straight month under 3% and four consecutive years of unemployment at or below 3.4%, a new record.

“With more Montanans working now than ever before and historically low unemployment, we’re seeing the results of our pro-jobs policies,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This month marks a new record stretch of four years of low unemployment and reinforces Montana's reputation as one of the nation's best places to live, work, and raise a family.”

Montana’s unemployment rate was 1.3% lower than the national unemployment rate, which was 4.1% in June. 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) decreased slightly in June. Construction, financial activities, and professional services each added 500 or more jobs over the month. Payroll jobs fell by 500 jobs over the month with losses in retail and wholesale trade, private education, healthcare, administrative and support services, and federal government employment.

The month of June marked the fourth 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.  

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in June. The index for shelter rose 0.2% in June, the primary factor for the monthly all items increase. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index rose 2.7% with core inflation rising 2.9%. The index for all items minus food and energy, or core inflation, rose 0.2% in June.