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News Release Information

24-2540-KAN
Thursday, December 12, 2024

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (816) 285-7000

County Employment and Wages in Montana– Second Quarter 2024

Employment rose 0.8 percent in Montana’s only large county, Yellowstone, from June 2023 to June 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.)  Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the rate of employment growth in Yellowstone County ranked 151st among the 355 largest counties with published data. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 259 of the 355 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.0 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-3.0 percent).

Employment in Yellowstone County stood at 89,000 in June 2024, accounting for 16.8 percent of total employment in Montana. Within Yellowstone County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprised 73.1 percent of total covered employment in the United States.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 55 counties in Montana with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 55 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Large county wage changes

The average weekly wage in Yellowstone County increased 3.0 percent from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, ranking 276th among the largest U.S. counties.

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.4 percent over the year. Among the 351 largest counties in the United States with published data, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Hamilton, IN, had the largest percentage wage increase (+33.4 percent). Essex, MA, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-2.1 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

The average weekly wage in Yellowstone County was $1,176 in the second quarter of 2024, ranking 222nd in the nation.  Among the 360 largest U.S. counties with published data, 87 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2024. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,632). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 273 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($820).

Smaller county average weekly wages

All 55 smaller counties in Montana—those with employment below 75,000— reported an average weekly wage below the national average. Stillwater County ($1,343) reported the highest average weekly wage. Garfield County ($708) and Petroleum County ($712) had the lowest average weekly wages in the state.

When all 56 counties in Montana were considered, 13 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 16 registered wages from $850 to $949, 13 had wages from $950 to $1,049, and 14 had average weekly wages of $1,050 or higher. (See map 1.)

Map 1. Average weekly wages by county in Montana, second quarter 2024

(U.S. average = $1,390)

 
Additional statistics and other information

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release or visit the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

The County Employment and Wages release for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the largest county in Montana, second quarter 2024
AreaEstablishments,
second quarter
(thousands)
EmploymentAverage weekly wage (1)
June 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
June
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
Second quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
second quarter
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

12,238.2155,710.20.8--1,390--4.4--

Montana

63.3528.81.5--1,113463.837

Yellowstone

7.789.00.81511,1762223.0276

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications.
(3) Ranking does not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(4) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and all counties in Montana, second quarter 2024
AreaEstablishmentsEmployment June 2024Average weekly wage ($) (1)

United States (2)

12,238,175155,710,2391,390

Montana

63,259528,8151,113

Beaverhead

5844,213950

Big Horn

2703,9461,069

Blaine

2031,293951

Broadwater

2581,531874

Carbon

6373,211931

Carter

56329865

Cascade

3,17037,6161,019

Chouteau

2321,328827

Custer

5555,632936

Daniels

100625933

Dawson

4023,453986

Deer Lodge

3463,4691,007

Fallon

1811,3631,120

Fergus

5734,808928

Flathead

6,88352,6171,071

Gallatin

9,65874,8441,191

Garfield

72309708

Glacier

3414,642999

Golden Valley

52230922

Granite

1871,048826

Hill

5986,877941

Jefferson

4902,8401,054

Judith Basin

114568826

Lake

1,28510,196917

Lewis and Clark

3,71040,9451,151

Liberty

96558758

Lincoln

9496,528909

McCone

78575948

Madison

6103,4071,032

Meagher

138655805

Mineral

2051,309866

Missoula

6,81467,9181,106

Musselshell

1971,4021,109

Park

1,2818,091952

Petroleum

25109712

Phillips

1841,166829

Pondera

2331,579861

Powder River

106607944

Powell

2482,6081,065

Prairie

59485827

Ravalli

2,36914,129982

Richland

6455,3821,172

Roosevelt

2723,432955

Rosebud

2603,8371,311

Sanders

5693,357883

Sheridan

2221,324930

Silver Bow

1,46716,8011,043

Stillwater

3963,4311,343

Sweet Grass

2711,7511,231

Teton

3281,878836

Toole

2381,8231,021

Treasure

34212790

Valley

3543,055958

Wheatland

105669821

Wibaux

43261760

Yellowstone

7,73289,0171,176

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state, second quarter 2024
StateEstablishments,
second quarter
(thousands)
EmploymentAverage weekly wage (1)
June 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
June
2023–24
Second quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
second quarter
2023–24
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

12,238.2155,710.20.81,390--4.4--

Alabama

162.92,111.11.21,150363.935

Alaska

25.4345.90.81,345154.517

Arizona

221.33,137.31.11,324184.616

Arkansas

101.71,299.91.01,074494.130

California

1,878.618,193.50.41,69744.420

Colorado

268.92,909.4-0.21,48784.225

Connecticut

151.41,702.20.41,56963.837

Delaware

43.8481.00.91,322195.46

District of Columbia

52.3764.00.12,28314.225

Florida

903.59,700.11.41,278213.643

Georgia

392.24,867.71.21,297204.225

Hawaii

59.6640.90.81,273225.83

Idaho

101.0867.31.21,096485.64

Illinois

410.26,115.50.01,401123.444

Indiana

192.53,187.30.41,171336.42

Iowa

111.31,588.00.21,118453.345

Kansas

100.91,435.80.51,124434.031

Kentucky

157.11,995.91.01,146384.323

Louisiana

155.91,904.30.61,144404.712

Maine

65.7666.11.11,167354.225

Maryland

210.52,778.51.51,45493.837

Massachusetts

287.63,708.10.21,75835.08

Michigan

345.14,480.50.41,266233.935

Minnesota

212.22,985.50.51,359143.345

Mississippi

89.81,163.80.1960514.031

Missouri

245.32,927.10.61,186323.148

Montana

63.3528.81.51,113463.837

Nebraska

77.11,030.90.71,122442.751

Nevada

108.61,548.91.61,243284.517

New Hampshire

66.7699.60.51,443104.031

New Jersey

338.54,361.10.91,51673.345

New Mexico

68.4871.91.21,150364.420

New York

712.79,762.41.31,68754.031

North Carolina

379.64,902.00.91,256254.89

North Dakota

36.5437.41.51,221303.148

Ohio

341.25,558.10.41,214314.712

Oklahoma

129.31,684.70.81,101474.712

Oregon

196.12,019.2-0.11,338164.89

Pennsylvania

393.66,067.50.81,325173.837

Rhode Island

48.8504.71.11,257242.950

South Carolina

188.42,290.11.81,134415.17

South Dakota

40.2470.30.71,074493.837

Tennessee

234.93,287.41.31,248274.225

Texas

840.913,905.71.21,381134.517

Utah

138.21,715.20.81,249265.64

Vermont

32.8310.80.01,227294.323

Virginia

319.94,140.81.41,436114.89

Washington

234.73,674.31.01,77627.41

West Virginia

61.7700.10.61,127424.712

Wisconsin

208.52,990.80.41,168343.742

Wyoming

31.0290.90.51,145394.420

Puerto Rico

54.5944.01.3651(3)4.7(3)

Virgin Islands

3.936.4-0.11,010(3)1.5(3)

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(3) Data not included in the national ranking.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

 

Last Modified Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024