Montana Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Montana fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2020 to 3.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Montana peaked in February 2010 at 7.4% and is now 3.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.5% in November 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Montana unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.6%	+0.1	-0.4
Montana	3.5%	0.0	0.0

Note: All comparisons are made with January data as February state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Montana, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Montana Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Montana peaked in March 2010 at 37,009. There are now 18,331 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 18,431 in May 2019, the number of unemployed has now grown by 247. Montana job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
Montana	18,678	-38	+110

Number of Unemployed Persons

Montana Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Montana Unemployment Rate	Montana Unemployed
February 2020	3.5%	—	—
January 2020	3.6%	3.5%	18,678
December 2019	3.5%	3.5%	18,716
November 2019	3.5%	3.5%	18,739
October 2019	3.6%	3.5%	18,757
September 2019	3.5%	3.5%	18,711
August 2019	3.7%	3.5%	18,611
July 2019	3.7%	3.5%	18,514
June 2019	3.7%	3.5%	18,450
May 2019	3.6%	3.5%	18,431
April 2019	3.6%	3.5%	18,448
March 2019	3.8%	3.5%	18,482