November 2025 | Released January 08, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
- The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota.
- In November, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.3 percent in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in New Hampshire.
Montana
Employment snapshot
In November, Montana lost 100 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, Montana added 900 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Montana added 3,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points from 2.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Montana is tied for 24th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, Montana’s private sector added 100 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 4,700 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Montana added 1,700 net private payroll jobs.
Montana
Payroll employment
- Montana lost 100 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Montana added 900 jobs. Montana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Montana is tied for 24th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Montana added 100 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Montana added 1,700 jobs. Montana private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. Montana is tied for 11th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From October 2025 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+400) and Other Services (+300).
- The worst performing sectors were Construction (-700) and Leisure and Hospitality (-400).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+1,500) and Professional and Business Services (+1,400).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-1,300) and Manufacturing (-600).
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.
- Montana is tied for 30th in the nation.