HELENA — Montana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in October, the third consecutive month at that level.
State Labor Department officials said Friday that payroll employment increased by 2,200 jobs last month, with strong gains in construction and leisure activities industries. Total employment estimates reflect a loss of about 1,000 self-employed or agricultural jobs for a monthly gain of about 1,200 jobs.
Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy says employees can expect to see increasing wages.
The national unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.9 percent in October.
Flathead County’s jobless rate hit 5.1 percent last month, roughly the same it has been all year. An estimated 686 jobs have been added in the past year.
Lincoln County’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent, second highest in the state. Glacier County had the highest rate in the state at 7.6 percent. Sanders County hit 6.3 percent, fourth highest in the state.
