Fastest-growing jobs in Montana

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.

Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.

Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.

The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.

Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Montana. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Montana.

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#50. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.4% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,670
--- Employment in 2023: 7,420
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,600

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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#49. First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.4% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,970
--- Employment in 2023: 3,840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $60,560

Kzenon // Shutterstock

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#48. Training and Development Specialists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.5% (40 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,180
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,900

BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock

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#47. Fast Food and Counter Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.6% (560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 15,940
--- Employment in 2023: 15,380
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,280

Evgeny Atamanenko // Shutterstock

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#46. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.8% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,430
--- Employment in 2023: 5,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,710

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#45. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.0% (50 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,310
--- Employment in 2023: 1,260
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,440

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

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#44. Dental Assistants

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.1% (60 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,540
--- Employment in 2023: 1,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,820

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#43. Computer User Support Specialists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.4% (80 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,910
--- Employment in 2023: 1,830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,410

Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

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#42. Pharmacy Technicians

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.5% (60 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,340
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,980

Vitpho // Shutterstock

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#41. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.6% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,050
--- Employment in 2023: 6,740
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,060

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#40. Dishwashers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.0% (100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,120
--- Employment in 2023: 2,020
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,270

wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

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#39. Civil Engineers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.0% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,880
--- Employment in 2023: 1,790
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,390

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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#38. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.4% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,060

DSBfoto // Shutterstock

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#37. Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.2% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,200
--- Employment in 2023: 8,660
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,390

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#36. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.6% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,270
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,690

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#35. Accountants and Auditors

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.6% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,680
--- Employment in 2023: 4,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $74,400

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#34. Billing and Posting Clerks

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.7% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,760
--- Employment in 2023: 1,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,360

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#33. Nursing Assistants

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.7% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,800
--- Employment in 2023: 4,500
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,300

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#32. Compliance Officers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.2% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,340
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,330

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#31. Registered Nurses

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.2% (800 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 10,540
--- Employment in 2023: 9,740
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $81,560

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#30. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.6% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,010
--- Employment in 2023: 1,850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $65,140

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#29. Construction Laborers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.0% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,720
--- Employment in 2023: 4,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,230

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#28. Security Guards

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.9% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,440
--- Employment in 2023: 1,310
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,300

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#27. Pharmacists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.9% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,330
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $137,230

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#26. Correctional Officers and Jailers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.9% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,320
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,700

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#25. Forest and Conservation Technicians

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.5% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,940
--- Employment in 2023: 1,740
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,310

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#24. First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.2% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,020
--- Employment in 2023: 1,800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $60,320

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#23. Counter and Rental Clerks

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.0% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,390
--- Employment in 2023: 1,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,220

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#22. Child, Family, and School Social Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.7% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,250
--- Employment in 2023: 1,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,630

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#21. Business Operations Specialists, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.2% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,850
--- Employment in 2023: 4,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,690

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#20. Food Preparation Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.9% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,700
--- Employment in 2023: 2,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,420

kanemme6 // Shutterstock

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#19. Tire Repairers and Changers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.1% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,000

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#18. Bus Drivers, School

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.2% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,580
--- Employment in 2023: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,810

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#17. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.3% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,140
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,240

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#16. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.3% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,000
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,590

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#15. Animal Caretakers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.3% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,150
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $32,290

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#14. Amusement and Recreation Attendants

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.4% (210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,420
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,860

Kzenon // Shutterstock

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#13. Self-Enrichment Teachers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.8% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,060
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,940

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#12. Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.3% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,520
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,460

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#11. Public Relations Specialists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.9% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,450
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $58,630

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

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#10. Cooks, Restaurant

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.0% (1,360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,170
--- Employment in 2023: 6,810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,830

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#9. Financial Managers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.7% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,160
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $126,190

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#8. Nurse Practitioners

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.1% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,050
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $133,640

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#7. Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.2% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,490
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,810

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#6. Childcare Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.2% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,070
--- Employment in 2023: 1,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,440

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#5. Project Management Specialists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.7% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,610
--- Employment in 2023: 2,060
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $85,140

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#4. Cost Estimators

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.7% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,210
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,360

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#3. Management Analysts

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.8% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,580
--- Employment in 2023: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $85,760

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#2. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.3% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,230