MISSOULA – Montana’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 3.7% for the month of March.
Total employment estimates indicate a gain of 326 jobs, while payroll employment posted no change over the month, suggesting that tight labor markets are constraining job growth, according to figures from the Department of Labor & Industry.
Montana’s labor force grew by roughly 100 people over the month, less than the number of jobs added to the economy. Businesses continue to report difficulty finding available workers.
The lowest unemployment rate for March was reported at 1.9% in McCone County while Lincoln County had the highest jobless rate at 8.8%
The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8%.
Below are the unemployment rates for Western Montana
- Missoula County: 3.8%
- Powell County: 4.7%
- Lake County: 4.9%
- Ravalli County: 5.1%
- Flathead Indian Reservation: 5.2%
- Flathead County: 5.9%
- Granite County: 6.1%
- Mineral County: 6.8%
- Sanders County: 7.7%
- Lincoln County: 8.8%
