Montana’s unemployment rate rose to 3.4 percent in December, up from 3.1 percent the previous month, according to figures released Tuesday by the governor’s office. The uptick was attributed to seasonal factors, including reduced construction activity and what the Department of Labor described as “general winter.”
In Gallatin County, the news was met with a mix of concern and confusion, primarily because many residents hold more than one job and were unsure which one the statistic referred to.
“Am I unemployed from my bartending job or my property management job?” asked Kyle Ness, 34, who also drives for a delivery app on weekends. “Because I can’t afford to lose either one, and I definitely can’t afford to lose both.”
Governor Greg Gianforte characterized the numbers as a “slight seasonal adjustment” and noted that Montana’s unemployment rate remains well below the national average. He did not address the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Bozeman, which also remains well above most averages.
Local economists said the data reflects a broader pattern in resort-adjacent communities, where the labor market is technically tight but wages have not kept pace with housing costs. “Everyone’s employed,” said Dr. Naomi West, an economist at Montana State University. “The question is whether being employed is enough.”
The next jobs report is expected in February. Kyle Ness said he’d try to read it during his break between shifts, which is eleven minutes long.
