Governor Greg Gianforte announced on Apr. 9 that Montana’s unemployment rate stood at 3.6 percent in January, lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.3 percent for the same month.
The state’s labor force reached a total of 579,400 people in January, with approximately 3,600 workers added over the past twelve months. Total employment—which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers—saw a slight decrease during the month. Payroll jobs remained mostly unchanged; gains in construction and healthcare were offset by declines in professional and business services.
“In Montana, we remain focused on creating an environment where small businesses and manufacturers can thrive and create more good paying jobs,” Governor Gianforte said. “Through 406 JOBS, we’re making sure every Montanan who is able to work has a clear pathway to those good-paying jobs and the opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
According to newly revised estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released this month to improve accuracy of labor market data, Montana’s unemployment rate averaged 3.3 percent throughout 2025 with modest employment declines of about 0.3 percent or roughly 1,430 fewer jobs over that year. The state’s labor force reached a high point of 577,850 in 2025—a growth of about 0.1 percent.
Last August, a report from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry indicated that more than 100,000 working-age Montanans are not employed nor seeking work. Through initiatives such as Governor Gianforte’s “406 JOBS,” efforts are underway to help residents enter or re-enter fields like health care, construction, hospitality and recreation, advanced manufacturing and computing, education and child care as well as financial and professional services.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by about two-tenths of one percent on a seasonally adjusted basis during January; core inflation rose three-tenths of one percent for that period while overall prices increased by roughly two-point-four percent over twelve months before seasonal adjustment.
Additional information including county- and reservation-level data is available through official state resources online.
