September 2026 | Released October 20, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 18, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 24.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.

• In September, payroll jobs rose in 24 states and fell in 25. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Carolina. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Missouri and Wisconsin.

Montana

Employment snapshot

• In September, Montana lost 1,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.1 percent. In the prior month, Montana lost 400 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Montana lost 5,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points from 3.5 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Montana ranks 50th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In September, Montana’s private sector lost 1,300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 4,100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Montana lost 300 net private payroll jobs.

• In September, employment in Montana rose by 396, and over the past 12 months it fell by 1,641.

• Montana’s labor force participation rate fell to 61.4 percent in September from 61.5 percent and is tied for 29th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1 percentage point.

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Montana

Payroll employment

• Montana lost 1,300 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Montana lost 400 jobs. Montana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Montana ranks 50th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Montana lost 1,300 private sector jobs, or -0.3 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Montana lost 300 jobs. Montana private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 46,000 jobs in September, or 0 percent. Montana ranks 50th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From August 2026 to September 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+200) and Construction (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,100) and Financial Activities (-600).

From September 2025 to September 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+1,900) and Construction (+300).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-3,600) 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 fell to 61.4 percent in September from 61.5 percent in the prior month.

• Montana is tied for 29th 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 61.4 percent in September 2026.

• The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.8 percent in September.