An active outdoor lifestyle, an abundance of natural serenity and a chance to own a piece of the West dictate the reasons to seek Montana employment. Miles of serene mountains and wide open prairies fill the Big Sky Country state with clean air and undisturbed wilderness. A peaceful lifestyle draws those looking for quiet solitude including many celebrities who choose Montana to escape from the hectic pace. Flocks of tourists also come to this part of the U.S. to visit Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, to fish in the crystal clear lakes or hike the wilderness trails. In the cities of Missoula, Billings and Helena, residents demonstrate that vibrant city life and contemporary amenities mix well with this Rocky Mountain paradise.
Montana Employment Opportunities
Many jobs in this rural state revolve largely around the tourist and ranching industries but for those with specialized skills, the metropolitan regions offer Montana employment opportunities.
Missoula Employment Opportunities:
Located near the western border of Montana and Idaho, Missoula residents call their home the Garden City. Rows of pine trees line the streets and views of the mountains surround this scenic region. The employment scene includes jobs for educators at the University of Montana and regional schools. Health care workers in all specialties are also needed in this area. Fine arts including film and theatre provide opportunities for artists and support personnel. The tourist industry thrives here and adventure tours and outdoor sports provide Montana employment opportunities.
Billings Employment Opportunities:
The largest city in Montana with over 100,000 in population, Billings continues to grow and provide additional employment opportunities. Located near Yellowstone National Park, the tourist and service industries provide many jobs. Year round employment in Billings may be found through financial institutions such as First Interstate Bank or with several of the communication and computer firms in the area. Mining, manufacturing and oil refinery positions and the construction industry provides many jobs. Health care and education also play an important role in the economy.
Great Falls Employment Opportunities:
Known as the Electric City for the five hydroelectric dams that service the Missouri River and provide employment to hundreds of workers. Jobs related to Glacier National Park tourism may also be found here.
Bozeman Employment Opportunities:
Montana State University, services related to Yellowstone National Park and several ski resorts offer the chance for employment in the Bozeman area.
Helena Employment Opportunities:
The capital city provides Montana employment related to state government with job opportunities in administration and office related services. Once a large mining region, the historic downtown region now offers some positions in retail, food service and hospitality.
In the Outer Regions of Montana:
The tourism industry dominates the National Park regions and creates seasonal employment in hotel management, maintenance and food services. Throughout Montana, small towns provide consumer goods and services and an opportunity to find temporary or permanent positions. Montana offers a good option for anyone seeking employment related to outdoor sports. Adventure tours including kayaking, river rafting, hiking, backpacking, fishing and hunting hire experienced guides and support workers.
Unemployment Rate in Montana: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an unemployment rate in June, 2009 at 6.4% for the state of Montana. Because the overall number of positions is less than in much of the country, the rate falls well below the current national average of over 9%.
Montana Employment Resources
Because the state of Montana is less populated than many others in the U.S., finding a job usually requires first locating a specific region to target. Those with specialized skills and education who are seeking professional positions in health care, education or the legal field may need to locate near one of the larger cities. Job candidates looking for employment in the tourist and service industries, outdoor sports or recreation or agriculture may find jobs in the rural areas and smaller towns. Temporary national employment agencies such as Manpower or Kelly Services offer possible employment within each of the major metropolitan areas.
A good starting point can be found at www.jobs-hunt.org where links to both specific professional skills and Montana locations can be searched. This site also includes links to current postings of local newspapers and classifieds.
The website www.bigskyfishing.com provides information for visitors to Montana but also includes links to possible Montana employment opportunities. This site is helpful for anyone wanting more details about a specific region and may be useful for locating current open job positions.
Montana Living Conditions
The free spirit of the Old West is alive and vibrant in this area where cowboys still roam the range. Montana residents enjoy the privilege to live in an area surrounded by pristine wilderness and deer, moose and eagles share the open space. The weather can be unpredictable and cold winters dominate the northern region. Summers in the southern prairies are often warm and dry. Montana schools and universities are highly rated and offer less populated classrooms. In addition to the many opportunities for outdoor sports, leisure time includes exploring the many historical sites and towns in the area. The Rocky Mountain scenery continues in Idaho on the western border of the state and across Canada to the north. Living in Montana provides an economical option for growing families with the low cost of housing in the suburban areas, reduced property taxes and no sales tax.
Montana Employment
For the outdoor enthusiast, living and working in Montana means having a continual supply of fresh air activities right outside the door. The attractions include fishing or hiking in the summer, skiing and snowmobiling in the winter and enjoying the cultural activities in Missoula, Billings, Butte and Helena all year. Whether the choice means to live on a Western ranch or to enjoy life in one of the growing cities, Montana offers a wide variety of affordable options. The Big Sky Country supplies a unique combination of the chance to live in an unspoiled natural setting and to enjoy Montana employment that provides a stable livelihood for a peaceful family life.
