Montana manufacturing outpaces most other sectors, generating $2 billion in wages

Montana’s manufacturing sector remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy, according to three reports on the state of manufacturing recently released by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University and authored by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. The manufacturing sector generated more than $2 billion in base labor earnings in 2024, ranking second behind hospitality.

“Manufacturing continues to be a strong and resilient sector of the Montana economy,” said Paddy Fleming, MMEC director. “Despite recent economic uncertainties, our manufacturers continue to innovate, invest in expansions and automation, and keep upbeat about the future.”