Wages have grown faster in Montana than in neighboring RTW states: Median real hourly wage growth since 2007
| Montana | Neighboring RTW States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| 2009 | 2.6% | 2.8% |
| 2010 | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| 2011 | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| 2012 | 0.0% | 3.2% |
| 2013 | 1.4% | 2.7% |
| 2014 | 2.7% | 3.2% |
| 2015 | 4.2% | 3.2% |
| 2016 | 4.3% | 4.6% |
| 2017 | 8.4% | 5.9% |
| 2018 | 10.4% | 6.7% |
| 2019 | 12.9% | 8.2% |
Note: Median real wages are calculated using rolling 3-year pools of microdata, so values for 2019 represent 2017–2019 and so on. Neighboring RTW states are Idaho, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Note: Median real wages are calculated using rolling 3-year pools of microdata, so values for 2019 represent 2017–2019 and so on. Neighboring RTW states are Idaho, South Dakota, and Wyoming. So-called right-to-work (RTW) laws make it illegal for a group of unionized workers to negotiate a collective bargaining contract (a contract governing workplace wages, benefits, and working conditions) that includes “fair share fees.” A contract with fair share fees requires all employees who enjoy the contract’s benefits to pay their share of the costs of negotiating and enforcing it.
Source: EPI analysis of 2005–2019 Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group microdata (EPI 2021).
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