Montana’s education and childcare sectors are facing chronic workforce shortages driven by persistent wage challenges.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry released an analysis on May 15, 2026, outlining how below-average pay and a lack of qualified candidates threaten these critical industries. This structural strain matters because education and childcare are foundational to Montana’s economy and social fabric.

Teachers and daycare workers earn roughly $12,000 less than the statewide average wage, with daycare workers averaging $26,500 annually. Childcare capacity currently meets less than half of the statewide demand. Commissioner Sarah Swanson warned that without intervention, workforce shortages will persist over the next decade. The sector is adding jobs slowly while losing workers rapidly, intensifying the challenge. To address this, the department plans to launch a new apprenticeship program for training teachers later this year.

Montana’s rural character and dispersed population might amplify these shortages, as wage stagnation and limited qualified labor pools could hinder recruitment and retention efforts. Businesses and communities that depend on education and childcare may find these workforce issues increasingly difficult to navigate without structural changes in pay and training.

Montana schools and daycares face worker shortages amid lagging pay
By Austin Amestoy, MTPR Montana Public Radio

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