June 2026 | Released July 21, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In June, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 30, rose in 7, and remained unchanged in 14.

• The highest unemployment rate was 6 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 4.2 percent.

• In June, payroll jobs rose in 34 states and fell in 17. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in Alaska and New Hampshire. The largest payroll job percent decline was 1.2 percent in West Virginia.

Montana

Employment snapshot

• In June, Montana lost 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.3 percent. In the prior month, Montana lost 3,200 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Montana lost 5,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 3.2 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. Montana is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In June, Montana’s private sector lost 1,100 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 4,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Montana lost 3,200 net private payroll jobs.

• In June, employment in Montana fell by 322, and over the past 12 months it fell by 3,264.

• Montana’s labor force participation rate fell to 61.5 percent in June from 61.7 percent and is tied for 32nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.9 percentage points.

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Montana

Payroll employment

• Montana lost 1,100 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, Montana lost 3,200 jobs. Montana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. Montana is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Montana lost 1,100 private sector jobs, or -0.3 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, Montana lost 3,200 jobs. Montana private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 49,000 jobs in June, or 0 percent. Montana ranks 49th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From May 2026 to June 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+900) and Private Education and Health Services (+300).
• The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,200) and Construction (-600).

From June 2025 to June 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+300) and Mining and Logging (+0).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,500) and Federal Government (-900).

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 61.5 percent in June from 61.7 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 61.5 percent in June 2026.

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 61.5 percent in June.