Employment Standards DivisionEmployment Relations

Forms to fill out if you have been injured while performing your job.

Montana Contractor

Issuance of certificates and registration for contractors in the construction industry. Decisions regarding employment relations statuses. Ensure construction contractors are paying Montana's rates for workers' compensation insurance.

Montana Workers' Compensation Regulations

Workers' Compensation Regulations

Montana Labor Standards

Construction Survey Response Data

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Nonconstruction Survey Response Data

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Prevailing Wage - Nonconstruction Services

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Workers Reported by Occupation – Construction Services

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Workers Reported by Occupation and NAICS Code

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Prevailing Wage - Building Construction

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Prevailing Wage - Heavy Construction

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Prevailing Wage - Highway Construction

Prevailing Wage Data Dashboards

Wage and Hour Laws

Wage and Hour Laws

Filing a Wage Claim, Instructions and Form

File a wage claim

Montana's Minimum Wage

Board of Personnel Appeals

A five-member quasi-judicial board providing appellate level review of matters pertaining to the Collective Bargaining Act for Public Employees.

Do I Have a Case for Discrimination?

Watch a video to learn whether you have a case for discrimination.

Montana Workplace Safety & Health

Montana Workplace Safety & Health

Safety & Health Consultation Program

Montana Workplace Safety & Health

Mine Safety & Health

Montana Workplace Safety & Health

Montana Safety Culture Act

Montana Safety Culture Act

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

Health and lifestyle data explored by different industry groups

Claims Examiner Certification

COVID Related Workers' Compensation Claims

Duration of Temporary Total Disability Benefits

Independent Contractor Exemption Certificates and Construction Contractor Registration

Medical Fee Schedule History

Medical Paid to Date

Occupational Health Indicators

Occupational Health Indicators

Oregon Workers' Compensation Rate Ranking Study

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

Return to Work Status

Sprains and Strains

Work Comp Claims Characteristics

Work Comp Market

Workers' Compensation Mediation

Work Related Injuries in Montana

Work Related Injuries that Resulted in Paid Wage Loss

Work Related Injury Settlements

Prevailing Wage

Montana Occupational Safety and Health Statistics

Occupational Health Indicators

Human Rights Bureau Cases

Safety Program Outreach

5 Year Petitions

Workers' Compensation Research

Worker Resources

Know your rights as a worker in Montana, including discrimination, wage and hour, workplace safety, and more.

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Employment Standards Division

The Employment Standards Division (ESD) offers a wide range of services and regulations pertaining to the employer-employee relationship. Workers' compensation coverage and claims, human rights claims, workplace safety and health, wage and hour claims, prevailing wage claims, and public sector collective bargaining are all covered by ESD.

ESD provides employers with education and technical assistance in understanding and complying with state labor laws. The division works with both employers and employees to address employment-related complaints through informal investigations and mediation. Its purpose is to assist in resolving conflicts at the most basic level feasible in a fast, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

Featured News

Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson talks exploding construction sector, climate jobs and more
May 01, 2024

Swanson’s appointment to the head of the 800-person agency comes at a significant moment in Montana: the state’s huge post-pandemic job creation rush has slowed, although certain sectors like . . .

Governor Gianforte, DLI Launch Tool to Assist Displaced Lumber Industry Workers
April 26, 2024

HELENA, Mont. – Today, Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson announced a new tool to assist workers affected by the recent lumber mill . . .

MT Dept. of Labor projects 6,000 healthcare job openings per year
March 14, 2024

MTDLI projects 638 openings for RNs per year, for which the median wage is $76,550. Over half are projected to be due to retirement. Another eight percent are expected to be due to increased demand caused by the . . .

Montana labor force hits all-time high in January
March 14, 2024

Montana's unemployment was lower than the national average of 3.7% with 3.3% in January. In January total employment added 400 workers and payroll jobs increased by 300. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry . . .

State Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in November
December 22, 2023

More than 41,000 jobs created since January 2021 HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), today announced the . . .

Montana Reports Fewer Work-Related Fatalities in 2022
December 20, 2023

MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the 2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, an annual study conducted jointly by the agency and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics that . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Announces Results of 2022 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
December 14, 2023

HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. In 2022, employees of Montana businesses in all industries experienced a . . .

Montana Reaches 24th Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
November 20, 2023

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana reached its 24th consecutive month of unemployment below 3%. Prior to the governor taking office, Montana’s unemployment rate had . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Adds First-Ever Tribal Liaison to Leadership Team
October 26, 2023

Blackfeet Nation member Don Wetzel Jr., with 20+ years of experience working with native communities, to lead Department’s tribal outreach Don Wetzel, Jr. DLI Tribal Laison HELENA -The . . .

Montana Reaches 22nd Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
September 19, 2023

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in August was below 3% for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the country’s . . .

Great Falls College Graduates 8 Students from first Cohort of Accelerated Structural Welding Course
September 08, 2023

Montana DLI, Great Falls College, Private Industry Partner to Hold Accelerated Structural Welding Course Welding Student Kala Pedersen GREAT FALLS- Eight students graduated the first-of-its-kind six-week . . .

Labor Day Report: Montana's Economy Strong & Poised for Growth
September 07, 2023

MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson today presented the 2023 Labor Day Report to Montanans. “Montana enjoyed a historic year of record job growth, low . . .

Montana’s Unemployment Rate Below 3% For 21st Consecutive Month
August 21, 2023

More Montanans Working Today Than Ever Before HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in July is below 3% for the 21st consecutive month. The only . . .

Governor Gianforte Appoints Commissioner of Labor and Industry
August 10, 2023

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Sarah Swanson to lead the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “As a proven leader in both the private and . . .

DLI Data: As Pandemic Receded and Workers Return to Jobsites, Workplace Injuries Rise
December 19, 2022

HELENA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today the number of workplace deaths in Montana returned to the pre-pandemic mean. Montana experienced 40 fatal work-related injuries in 2021, . . .

Governor Gianforte Announces Another Record-Setting Jobs Report
December 16, 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working in November hit a new all-time high, according to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the . . .

Montana’s Record Employment, Labor Force Growth Continues in September
October 21, 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working and the size of the state’s workforce in September reached new all-time highs, according to data from the . . .

Montana Post-Secondary Workforce Report Highlights Opportunities for Montana Workers
October 21, 2022

HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry this week released the 2022 Post-Secondary Workforce Report, which evaluates how the state’s workforce training systems provide a . . .

Montanans Impacted by Flooding in Yellowstone County May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
July 27, 2022

Helena, MT - The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today that workers in Yellowstone County impacted by June flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Disaster . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Releases “Status of the Nursing Workforce in Montana” Report
November 12, 2021

Report summarizes results from the National Council State Board of Nursing 2020 Survey HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the “2020 Status of the . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Releases 2020 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
November 05, 2021

HELENA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. The survey found private industry workplaces in Montana reported a rate of 3.4 . . .

Montana Employers Recognized with 2021 Governor’s Achievement Awards
October 01, 2021

Awards recognize ongoing commitment to workplace safety across Montana MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today recognized employers who go above and beyond in their efforts to make their . . .

State of Montana Issues Guidance on HB 702 Implementation
July 28, 2021

HELENA, Mont. – Montana’s Departments of Labor & Industry and Public Health and Human Services today released guidance for employers and care providers on implementation of HB 702, approved . . .

Montana's Labor Force, Total Employment Grow in June
July 16, 2021

MONTANA – Montana’s labor force grew by more than 2,000 workers in June, while total employment in the state grew by some 1,800 workers. “More and more Montanans are . . .

Circle, MT Student Awarded Montana State Employer Council Scholarship
July 14, 2021

HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today announced the 2021 Montana State Employer Council . . .

DLI releases 2019 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in Montana
December 21, 2020

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today released the annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Montana experienced 38 work-related fatal injuries in 2019, an increase from 28 in 2018. . . .

DLI highlights Kids’ Chance Awareness Week
November 09, 2020

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry is recognizing Kids’ Chance Awareness Week from November 9 through 13. DLI honors the effect Kids’ Chance of Montana has providing educational . . .

Current Events

All Day Event
Prevailing Wage Surveys

The 2024 Montana Prevailing Wage Rates for 2025 Construction and Non-Construction Surveys are now under way. Please submit your data by July 31, 2024, to ensure it is incorporated into the . . .

All Day Event
2024 Governor's Conference

September 11 - 13, 2024 Copper King Hotel & Convention Center in Butte Register Today Award Nomination Forms: Governor's Safety Achievement . . .

All Day Event
44th Annual Montana Arbitration & Labor Relations Conference

Save the Date44th Annual Montana Arbitration & Labor Relations Conference When: October 1-3, 2024 Where: Copper King Hotel & Convention CenterButte: Montana