Workforce

Workforce & Employment

Employment Growth and Unemployment Rates

The economy of the Flathead was heavily dependent onsecond-home and high-end residential construction along with the wood products industry. Downturns in housing in 2008 and 2009 coupled with the closing of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company and other corporate lay-offs negatively affected the employment rate. 2010 has seen hiring grow at firms such as Applied Materials, TeleTech and Kalisepll Regional Medical Center, but the unemployment rate continues to hover above the Montana unemployment rate of 7.4% and near the 9.6% national average.

Employment for Flathead County	2010	2000
Employment	38,616	34,680
Unemployment	4,669	2,388
Unemployment Rate	10.8%	6.4%

Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, October 2010, www.ourfactsyourfuture.com

Employment Percentage	2010
% Private for Profit	71.0%
% Private Not-for-Profit	7.3%
% Local Government	5.4%
% State Government	2.8%
% Federal Government	2.3%
% Self Employed	11.0%

% White Collar	57.9%
% Blue Collar	26.2%
% Service Occupation	14.6%

0Source: Development Alliance, July 2010, http://www.developmentalliance.com/portal/
Economic Development Intelligence System, 2^nd Quarter 2010,
https://edis.commerce.state.nc.us/docs/countyProfile/MT/30029.pdf 2008

Occupation Percentages	2010
Management, Business and Financial	12.9%
Professional Specialties	18.8%
Sales and Office	26.2%
Farming, Forestry and Fishing	1.3%

ccupation Percentages

Employment by Industry 2009

Industry	# of Establishments	Ave. Annual Employment	Annual Wages/Job
Total All Industries	4,360	37,388	$32,204
Total Private	4,248	32,492	$31,073
Retail Trade	484	5,519	$24,712
Healthcare & Social Assistance	325	4,911	$40,332
Accomodation & Food Service	326	4,785	$14,523
Total Government	112	4,896	$39,707
Construction	869	2,648	$36,473
Manufacturing	188	2,597	$42,830
Admin & Waste Services	244	2,146	$24,828
Finance & Insurance	210	1,706	$47,953
Other Services	312	1,474	$21,296
Professional & Technical Services	440	1,345	$41,668
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation	121	1,333	$17,976
Wholesale Trade	142	965	$38,598
Real Estate	236	632	$25,641
Information	58	603	$40,045
Transportation & Warehousing	124	582	$32,240
Educational Services	38	409	$26,999
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting	88	276	$34,651
Utilties	11	205	$62,227
Mining	20	198	$44,185
Management of Enterprises	14	158	$81,174

Source: Montana Department of Labor, Research and Analysis Bureau,
Demographic and Economic Information for Flathead County
www.ourfactsyourfuture.org

Top Manufacturing Industries in Flathead County 2010

Top Manufacturing Industries in Flathead County 2010	Establishments	Emp./1000
Wood Products Manufacturing	28	34.12
Industrial Machinery Manufacturing	1	17.76
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing	2	3.6
Printing and Related Support Activities	14	3.45
Machine Shops, Turn Production	14	1.51
HH & Institutional Furniture & Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing	25	2.66
Office Furniture Manufacturing	4	1.36
Foundaries	3	1.15
Other Fabricated Metal Products Manufacturing	8	1.1

Source: Economic Development Intelligence System, 2nd Quarter 2010, https://edis.commerce.state.nc.us/docs/countyProfile/MT/30029.pdf
Development Alliance, July 2010, www.developmentalliance.com

Montana Department of Labor and Industry

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry updates area labor market information monthly. Check their website for the latest unemployment rates and industry information.

Montana Wage Information