Above: A worker at SmartLam, a cross laminate manufacturer. SmartLam opened a new facility in Columbia Falls, MT in 2020.(Image source: SmartLam)
Manufacturing employment in Montana rose significantly over the past year, according to MNI, compiler and publisher of comprehensive business profiles of the nation’s nearly 400,000 manufacturing companies. According to MNI’s survey of the state’s manufacturers, Montana added a net 1,839 jobs or 6.2% between August 2021 and August 2022.
Montana is currently home to 1,595 manufacturers employing 31,413 according to MNI data.
Job gains were largely led by the metal mining industry, which surged 69% over the year.
Montana’s largest sector by number of jobs remains lumber/wood products, which employs 3,176. Employment in lumber/wood inched up over the year, up 1.5%. Food products, the state’s second-largest sector, was similarly fated, growing by 4% over the past year. Food processing currently accounts for 3,327 of Montana’s industrial jobs.
Other top industries in Montana include industrial machinery, with 2,578 jobs; stone/glass/clay with 2,310 jobs; and printing/publishing with 2,189 jobs,
MNI’s city data reveals Billings ranks as Montana’s top city by number of industrial jobs, home to 4,321 workers, up 5.35% over the year. Second-ranked Bozeman accounts for 2,935 workers and also gained jobs, up 5.4%. Third-ranked Missoula accounts for 2,495 workers, 1.3% more than last year, while fourth-ranked Kalispell saw jobs rise 2.9% and is currently home to 2,351 workers.
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