Governor Gianforte Announces Montana Ranks Second for Highest Hourly Wage Growth

(Press Release)

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana ranks second in the nation for the highest hourly wage growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) program. From 2024 to 2025, the average hourly wages in Montana increased 4.7 percent.

“With affordability top of mind for all Americans, Montana is proud to report our job creators are keeping pace with our growing economy to ensure workers are paid a fair wage,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With the second highest hourly wage growth in the nation and our continued work to further reduce the burden of taxes, Montanans will be better equipped to achieve the American dream.”

According to BLS data, Montana had an average hourly wage of $27.96 in 2024, and in 2025, the average hourly wage rose to $29.27. Montana’s wage growth in 2025 was the second highest in the country.

The increase in average hourly wages across the state follows the governor’s announcement that Montana was named in the top five states with the fastest-growing economies. The report noted that business investment, population growth, and energy production helped drive growth. Montana ranked fifth, behind Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and South Carolina, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growing 16.1 percent between 2021 and 2025. The national average in the same time period was 10.8 percent. 

Last week, Gov. Gianforte recognized the growth of Montana’s high-tech industry. New data reveals that the industry grew twice as fast as the overall Montana economy from 2014 to 2024. In 2024, the governor announced Montana was only one of two states in the nation where wage growth outpaced inflation since 2020.

Since taking office, Gov. Gianforte has reformed the state’s tax code to cut red tape and promote business investment and job creation by delivering the largest tax cuts in state history, providing tax cuts for Montanans at every income level, and securing immediate and long-term property tax relief. The governor also led the effort to pay off the state’s general obligation debt, which made Montana debt-free in 2023 and saving Montanans $40 million over a period of two years. Through the Department of Labor & Industry’s 406 JOBS initiative, the State of Montana is breaking down barriers to high-demand jobs so more Montanans can find meaningful employment.