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 151^st 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.)

The average weekly wage in Yellowstone County increased 3.0 percent from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, ranking 276^th 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).

The average weekly wage in Yellowstone County was $1,176 in the second quarter of 2024, ranking 222^nd 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).

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.)