Montana’s unemployment rate slipped to 3.1% in September, still well below the national rate, which rose to 4.2%, Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office said Oct. 20.
The figure is seasonally adjusted. The state remains among the 10 with the lowest unemployment rates, the governor’s announcement said, citing data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. The department puts the margin of error at plus or minus 0.5 percentage points.
Total employment, which includes payroll, farm and self-employed workers, rose by nearly 400 jobs in September, and the number of unemployed people fell by 379. Payroll employment, a narrower measure, declined by 1,300 jobs, most of them in accommodation and food service and in finance and insurance.
“Montana’s unemployment rate edged lower this month, but helping employers find the right skills remains a priority,” Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson said. She pointed to work with businesses to match openings with training already under way.
Inflation remains a backdrop. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.6% in September after seasonal adjustment and was up 3.7% over the past year. Gasoline prices jumped 9.1% in September and accounted for more than half of the monthly increase, the announcement said. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, was up 2.6% over 12 months.
County rates are not seasonally adjusted and should be read against the state’s unadjusted rate of 2.5% for September. Among the counties listed in the report, Powder River and Treasure were at 1.4%, while Big Horn was at 4.5% and Lincoln at 4.3%. The next labor-market report, covering October, is due Friday, Nov. 20. More detail is at lmi.mt.gov.
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