Montana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 4.6 percent in May.
Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy said Friday the state’s unemployment rate is now below average levels, which should drive wage growth over the next year.
Montana’s total employment, including agricultural and the self-employed, has increased by 10,000 this year, including 1,326 in May. The state has added 5,000 payroll jobs since January, including 300 private sector jobs in May.
The U.S. unemployment rate held steady at 6.3 percent in May. Montana’s unemployment rate is the 10th lowest in the country.