Helena, Montana – Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana has earned a place among the top ten states in the nation for year-over-year job growth, pointing to the latest employment figures as another sign of the state’s economic progress.
According to the governor’s office, a new report from Stat Ranker ranked all 50 states based on growth in total nonfarm payroll employment between February 2025 and February 2026. Montana placed ninth nationally for both the number of jobs added and overall job growth.
The report found that Montana added more than 2,100 jobs during the one-year period, representing a 0.4 percent increase in employment.
Governor Gianforte said the state’s economic performance reflects efforts to encourage business investment while reducing taxes and limiting unnecessary regulations.
“Montana continues to rank as one of the best states to start or grow a business, earn a competitive wage, and secure a good-paying job,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As we continue to reform our regulatory environment to support job creators and cut taxes to give money back to the hardworking Montanans who earned it, we see the results of conservative policies at work as the Treasure State ranks in the top ten states with the strongest job growth.”
Recent business investments add to economic momentum
The governor highlighted several recent business developments that are expected to create additional employment opportunities across the state.
Last week, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Janicki Industries in Great Falls, where the aerospace manufacturer announced an investment expected to create more than 2,000 jobs over the next decade.
He also participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Amazon’s sixth delivery station in Montana. State officials said the new facility increases Amazon’s total workforce in Montana to more than 800 employees.
The announcement follows several other economic reports released in recent months that have pointed to Montana’s continued growth.
Last month, Governor Gianforte announced that Montana ranked among the top five fastest-growing state economies since 2021, based on a report from Visual Capitalist.
According to that analysis, Montana’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 16.1 percent between 2021 and 2025, compared with the national average growth rate of 10.8 percent during the same period.
State officials also noted that Montana has experienced some of the strongest wage growth in the country.
Montana currently ranks third nationwide for wage growth and is one of only two states where wages have increased faster than inflation since 2020.
The average annual wage earned by Montana workers reached $60,037 in 2024, according to figures cited by the governor’s office.
Earlier this year, Governor Gianforte also announced improvements in the state’s financial position.
Montana’s fiscal health ranking improved from 22nd in 2021 to eighth in 2025, placing the state among the nation’s top ten, according to the governor.
State officials also highlighted that Montana became debt-free in 2023 after paying off its general obligation debt. The governor’s office said that decision has saved taxpayers approximately $40 million over a two-year period.
Employment levels have also remained strong compared with national trends.
Last month, Montana’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent, while the national unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent.
According to the governor’s office, Montana has consistently ranked among the top fifteen states with the lowest unemployment rates, a trend officials say reflects continued business investment, job creation, and economic growth throughout the Treasure State.
