Mid-year market recruitment and staffing trends report from Montana

Montana’s largest talent acquisition agency, LC Staffing http://www.lcstaffing.com , today released findings from a 2016 mid-year market report.

The report details recruitment and staffing trends in Bozeman, Missoula and the Flathead Valley and is comprised of data from 1,078 employees placed in various industries throughout the state in the first half of 2016.

In both Bozeman and Missoula, of primary interest was the wage increase over 2015. For Bozeman employees placed by LC Staffing, the overall average starting wage in increased 5% over 2015. Wages for these positions rose from an average of $12.93 per hour in 2015 to an average of $13.61 per hour in 2016. As anticipated, top hiring demands for the first half of 2016 in Bozeman were in the construction and manufacturing industries.

Missoula wages also increased significantly. In 2016 year-to-date, the average starting pay for Missoula employees placed by LC Staffing rose to $12.39 per hour, up 6% over starting wages in 2015. Construction and healthcare currently lead hiring in Missoula in 2016. Wage gains in Kalispell were moderate, rising from $12.24 per hour in 2015 to $12.32 per hour in 2016.

"Overall, construction is booming in both Bozeman and Missoula. Last June, the City of Bozeman issued building permits with attached values of a little under $16 million. This June, it was close to $24 million. The value of building permits pulled in Missoula’s this June is almost double what it was in 2015," said Maria Skonord, vice president of LC Staffing. "That kind of growth means the competition for a skilled workforce is heating up. With an already low unemployment rate, employers who want to find great talent need to understand what today’s job seekers really want."

Along those lines, a survey conducted by LC Staffing in July 2016 presented surprising insights as to what currently attracts and retains Montana job seekers. Though wages are a primary consideration, 57% of job seekers surveyed indicated wages were not their first priority. Many respondents cited environmental factors as key differentiators. In the survey, meaningful work was named by 50% of respondents as one of the top three considerations. "Meaningful work" was followed closely by "A company or supervisor who invests in me" at 48.6%.

"Right now, organizations that add value beyond the dollar sign place themselves in the best position to recruit great candidates," shares Skonord. "Wages will always be important because people have to provide for themselves, but today’s workforce is looking for more than a paycheck. Montana’s job seekers want to make a difference, and companies that empower employees to do so are making a wise investment, both in their community and in their organization?s future."

ABOUT LC Staffing

Founded in 1985, LC Staffing is the largest Montana-based talent acquisition agency in the state, with locations in Kalispell, Missoula and Bozeman. The agency specializes in staffing for Montana?s manufacturing, healthcare, clerical, technical, hospitality, professional and sales industries. For more information about LC Staffing visit http://www.lcstaffing.com.