July 2026
Released August 21, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In July, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 29, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 18.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.
In July, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 24. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Maryland. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in New Jersey.
Montana
Employment snapshot
In July, Montana added 700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.2 percent. In the prior month, Montana lost 500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Montana lost 5,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 3.3 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Montana is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Montana’s private sector added 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 4,400 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Montana lost 600 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Montana rose by 625, and over the past 12 months it fell by 2,566.
Montana’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 61.5 percent in July and ranks 31st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.9 percentage points.
Montana
Payroll employment
Montana added 700 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Montana lost 500 jobs. Montana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Montana is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Montana added 800 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Montana lost 600 jobs. Montana private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Montana is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From June 2026 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+600) and Professional and Business Services (+500).
- The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-500) and Construction (-200).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+600) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+400).
- The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-2,800) and Federal Government (-1,000).
Montana
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Montana remained unchanged at 61.5 percent in July.
Montana ranks 31st in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Montana was 64 percent occurring in October 2019, and the 10-year low was 61.5 percent occurring in June 2026.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.