Montana's jobless rate sees a slight increase

Montana’s unemployment rate went up 0.1 percent in May, reaching 3.9 percent, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Flathead County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, ranking 50th out of 56 counties at 4.8 percent. While Flathead County has seen a 0.1 percent decrease in unemployment from this time last year, the county is still above the national unemployment rate of 4.3 percent.

The U.S. unemployment rate also saw a 0.1 percent decrease last month to come in at to 4.3 percent.

Sanders and Lincoln counties also are in the bottom 10 counties for unemployment in Montana, with rates of 6.2 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Lake County remains lower than the national average at 3.6 percent.

According to the state Department of Labor, a convergence between the national and state rates is to be expected due to a tightening labor market.

“Montana’s economy continues to be one of the nation’s strongest, providing opportunities for people in the labor market,” said Pam Bucy, commissioner of the labor department, in a press release. “This is a benefit for workers looking to earn higher wages or improve their employment skills.”

Payroll workers, self-employed workers and workers in agriculture all reported employment decreases in April and May, though the retail industry took the biggest hit, according to a press release.

This year Flathead County has added 288 jobs for a total of 43,645, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.