Jobless picture looks good in state, Hi-Line

Montana’s jobless rate declined to 5.4 percent in May, continuing a downward trend,

The jobless rate on the Hi-Line looked good as well. All Hi-Line counties had lower rates than the state as a whole.

“Montana has added more than 2,500 jobs in the last two months, continuing the strong employment growth experienced in 2012,” said Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy. “Montana’s unemployment rate continues to fall, and Montanans are back to work.”

The state’s jobless rate was 5.5 percent in April. The nationwide jobless rate went up slightly to 7.6 percent.

Bucy said the state’s jobless rate trajectory has been on a downward path since mid-2010.

Total employment increased by 1,740 over the month, the largest monthly job increase of 2013.

Payroll employment estimates showed slightly larger employment growth of 2,100 jobs, posting employment gains in most industries.

• Hill County: 431 people were unemployed, 5.1 percent.

• Blaine County: 131 people were unemployed, 4.7 percent.

• Chouteau County: 93 people were unemployed, 3.5 percent.

• Liberty County: 32 people were jobless, 3.9 percent.