Governor Steve Bullock today announced Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.9% in June, half a percentage point below the national average. The U.S. unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 4.4%.

“Montana’s economy continues to grow and diversify and more Main Street Montana businesses are expanding and hiring more workers,” said Governor Bullock. “As summer kicks into high gear, we are continuing to find new ways to ensure Montana businesses have a steady pipeline of skilled workers to fill good-paying jobs.”

Total employment levels, which include self-employed and agricultural workers, increased by 220 jobs over the month. The number of people in the labor force also increased over the past month, keeping the unemployment rate unchanged. Payroll employment estimates indicate a loss of 600 jobs over the month, but an increase of 6,700 jobs since June 2016.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in June. A decline in the energy index offset an increase in the index for all items less food and energy. Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U has increased by 1.6%. The index for all items less food and energy, also called core inflation, increased 0.1% in June. 

** Unemployment figures are seasonally-adjusted.  Seasonally-adjusted numbers remove the effects of events that follow a more or less regular month-to-month pattern each year. These adjustments make nonseasonal patterns easier to identify. The margin of error for the unemployment rate is plus or minus 0.5 percentage points at the 90 percent confidence level. All questions relating to the calculation of unemployment rates should be directed to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Research and Analysis Bureau at 1-800-541-3904.

The next Labor Situation Report for the month of July 2017 will be released on Friday, August 18, 2017. 

****** INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET ******

Visit our website at www.lmi.mt.gov for additional information and analysis, including industry employment levels, background on the unemployment rate, and wage rates by occupation.  This month’s Economy at a Glance discusses the contribution of Montana college graduates to the state’s workforce.

****** COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ******

The unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s 56 counties is provided below for your convenience.  County unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the unadjusted statewide unemployment rate of 3.8%. 

****** RESERVATION UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ******

The unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s seven reservations is provided below.  Reservation unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the unadjusted statewide unemployment rate of 3.8%.Reservation areas overlap with county areas, meaning that unemployed individuals living on a reservation will be included in both the reservation and county totals.