The unemployment rate in Flathead County dropped a percentage point in April to 8.4 percent from March’s 9.4 percent. 

The county listed 39,432 people employed in April compared to 3,612 unemployed. 

The numbers are an improvement over April 2012, when the unemployment rate for Flathead County stood at 10 percent. 

The statewide unemployment rate overall fell slightly to 5.5 percent in April, down by 0.1 percentage points from March. The national rate decreased by the same amount, but remains much higher than Montana’s unemployment at 7.5 percent. 

“After a slow start in the first quarter, Montana’s employment growth is back on the right track this month, adding about 660 jobs,” Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy said.  “Montana’s unemployment rate continues to fall and is now within the range that economists consider normal unemployment. Further, Montana wage growth last year was strong, suggesting a higher standard of living for Montanans and stronger employment growth in future months.”

Montana’s average pay increased by 3.6 percent during 2012, with payroll employment growth of 1.8 percent, according to preliminary data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. This employment and wage growth are the highest since 2007 and similar to the economic growth experienced in the early 2000s. 

Montana’s average annual pay was $37,100 in 2012, up from $35,800 in 2011. Oil and gas extraction, health care, and accommodation and food services all experienced rapid employment growth in 2012 while construction employment stabilized.