Montana ranks second in the nation for hourly wage growth, with average wages climbing 4.7 percent between 2024 and 2025, Governor Greg Gianforte announced Saturday. The state’s average hourly wage rose from $27.96 to $29.27 during that period, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics program.
The wage growth announcement comes as Montana continues to outpace the national economy. The state’s real gross domestic product grew 16.1 percent from 2021 to 2025, compared with a national average of 10.8 percent for the same period, placing Montana fifth among the fastest-growing state economies. Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and South Carolina ranked ahead of Montana in GDP expansion.
Gianforte tied the wage performance to workforce conditions and policy decisions. “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,” he said in a statement released by the state newsroom.
Economic Drivers and Policy Context
Montana’s high-technology sector has emerged as a significant driver of economic growth. The state’s tech industry expanded at twice the rate of the overall economy between 2014 and 2024, reflecting a shift toward knowledge-based employment in the state.
The governor credited fiscal management and tax policy for supporting wage growth. Gianforte’s administration paid off Montana’s general obligation debt in 2023, eliminating the state’s long-term debt burden and generating $40 million in savings over two years. The governor also pointed to what he characterized as the largest tax cuts in state history as supporting worker purchasing power and business expansion.
Montana stands as one of only two states where wage growth has outpaced inflation since 2020, a distinction the governor emphasized in framing economic conditions for workers and families. The state’s 406 JOBS initiative, operating through the Department of Labor & Industry, supports workforce development and business recruitment efforts.
Gianforte noted the implications for future opportunity. “With the second highest hourly wage growth in the nation and our continued work to further reduce the burden taxes, Montanans will be better equipped to achieve the American dream,” he said.
The wage announcement arrives amid ongoing focus on Montana’s competitive position in attracting and retaining businesses and workers. Montana’s aerospace sector continues expanding, with projects like Neptune Aviation’s development of a new air tanker platform adding to the state’s economic diversification.
