May 2026 | Released June 23, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 20, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 22.

• The highest unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.

• In May, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 13. The largest payroll job percent increase was 1.4 percent in West Virginia. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.5 percent in Montana.

Montana

Employment snapshot

• In May, Montana lost 2,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent. In the prior month, Montana added 700 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Montana lost 3,700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 3.2 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Montana is tied for 45th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In May, Montana’s private sector lost 2,500 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 2,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Montana added 700 net private payroll jobs.

• In May, employment in Montana fell by 207, and over the past 12 months it fell by 2,925.

• Montana’s labor force participation rate fell to 61.7 percent in May from 61.8 percent and is tied for 32nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.

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Montana

Payroll employment

• Montana lost 2,600 net payroll jobs, or -0.5 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Montana added 700 jobs. Montana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Montana is tied for 45th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Montana lost 2,500 private sector jobs, or -0.6 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Montana added 700 jobs. Montana private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 120,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Montana ranks 46th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From April 2026 to May 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+300) and Financial Activities (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Construction (-1,900) and Leisure and Hospitality (-900).

From May 2025 to May 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,000) and Private Education and Health Services (+400).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,900) and Federal Government (-1,200).

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 61.7 percent in May from 61.8 percent in the prior month.

• Montana is tied for 32nd 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 61.7 percent in May 2026.

• The national labor force participation rate remained steady at 61.8 percent in May.