Montana Women in the Labor Market
As of the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the female labor force participation rate in Montana is approximately 59%, slightly below the national average of around 60%. The median annual earnings for full-time working women in Montana are about $42,000, compared with roughly $50,000 for men, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. More than 230,000 women are employed across sectors such as healthcare, education, retail, and agriculture, with the largest employer group in the state being health services. The state's unemployment rate for women has generally tracked the national average, hovering near 3.5% in recent months, as reported by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
Women in Montana hold a notable share of management and professional occupations, with roughly 38% of those roles filled by females, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The public sector remains a major source of employment for women, with state and local government agencies, schools, and hospitals ranking among the top employers. Remote work has expanded access to higher-paying roles in tech and finance for Montana women, with companies such as Forbes reporting increased flexibility in rural and frontier labor markets.
Business Ownership and Entrepreneurship
The U.S. Census Bureau's most recent Survey of Business Owners shows that women own about 33% of all businesses in Montana, with the highest concentration in health care, social assistance, and professional services. Montana ranks near the middle of the states for the share of firms with female ownership, and the average revenue for women-owned businesses is roughly $150,000, below the national average for similar firms. The Montana Small Business Development Center and the Women's Business Center of Montana provide mentorship, loan access, and training programs that have helped thousands of women launch or grow ventures in the past decade.
Federal data indicate that women-owned firms in Montana receive a small share of federal contract dollars, though targeted programs aim to increase that share. The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy reports that women in Montana apply for and receive SBA-backed loans at rates consistent with national trends, with average loan sizes around $150,000. Organizations such as SBA.gov highlight the role of state-level incubators in supporting women entrepreneurs in agriculture, energy, and technology sectors.
Income, Education, and Economic Indicators
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey shows that about 30% of Montana women aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher, slightly below the national average of 33%. The gender wage gap in Montana persists, with women earning roughly 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, after controlling for occupation and hours worked, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Women in Montana are more likely to work in education, health care, and public administration, while men are overrepresented in construction, mining, and transportation.
Poverty rates for women in Montana are slightly higher than for men, with roughly 13% of Montana women living below the federal poverty line, per Census data. Programs such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families serve tens of thousands of Montana women and families each year. Economic outlook reports from Forbes Advisor and the Bureau of Economic Analysis note that Montana's cost of living and housing market affect women's financial planning, especially in rural counties with limited childcare and healthcare infrastructure.