Montana's labor force hits all-time high

Job growth in Montana continues to thrive as the state’s total workforce reached a new all-time high last month.

Gov. Greg Gianforte on Friday touted that the state’s total employment and labor force grew in November, setting new state records for both, according to data compiled by the Department of Labor and Industry and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Montana’s total employment grew by nearly 580 jobs last month, with more than 563,000 Montanans working. 

Montana’s labor force also grew by more than 1,400 workers in November, adding more than 11,000 workers since the start of the year, according to the press release.

“As Montana’s labor force continues to grow, there are encouraging signs our worker shortage continues to abate,” said Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. “Steady growth in both employment and our labor force show Montana’s job market is healthy and robust as we prepare to enter 2024.”

With the labor force growth slightly outpacing growth in total employment in November, the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3%. November marks the first month in two years that Montana’s unemployment rate reached 3%. 

The national unemployment rate in November was 3.7%.

Since last year, employment numbers have mostly increased in Northwest Montana counties.

Employment in Flathead County was 51,020 in 2022. As of November, it was at 51,326 with a jobless rate of 3.8%. 

In Lake County, employment has fallen slightly this year to 13,939, while the unemployment rate was at 3.9% in November. In Lincoln County, employment rose to 8,510 in November, with a jobless rate of 5%.

Since peaking during Covid, the unemployment rate has decreased in all three counties, but still exceeds the national average. 

Jenn Cronk, workforce and special initiatives director at the Kalispell Chamber, said that while unemployment in the county is slightly higher than the state rate, the local market is resilient. 

“We look forward to continued growth in 2024 in the Flathead,” Cronk said.

According to the Governor’s Office, more than 41,000 jobs have been created statewide since January 2021. 

Reporter Carl Foster can be reached at cfoster@dailyinterlake.com.