Job Creation, Labor Force Continues Growth In February

In February, Montana’s total employment and labor force continued to grow, a sign that Montanans are continuing to join the workforce even with a record number of people working in the state.

Montana’s unemployment rate rose to 3.4 percent in February as more workers entered the labor force. The unemployment rate for the United States increased to 3.9 percent.

Total employment (which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers) increased slightly in February, while the labor force added 350 workers. Payroll employment increased by 700 jobs in February. The professional and business service industry and the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry posted the strongest job gains over the month.

In February, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent over-the-month. Increases in the shelter index and the gasoline index comprised most of the monthly increase. The food index was unchanged in February. The 12-month change in the all-items index was 3.2 percent. The index for all items minus food and energy, or core inflation, rose 0.4 percent in January.

The unadjusted statewide employment rate is 3.8 percent, and this percentage is used when comparing county unemployment rates and employment levels, as these are not seasonally adjusted. Valley County is at 3.6 percent unemployment rate while surrounding counties Phillips is at 6.1 percent and Roosevelt is sitting at 4.5 percent, Garfield County is sitting at 5.4 percent and Daniels County is at 2.7 percent.

Visit our website at http://www.lmi.mt.gov for additional information and analysis, including industry employment levels, background on the unemployment rate, and wage rates by occupation. Visit http://www.lmi.mt.gov/home/job-tracking for Montana unemployment claims and current economic data.