Anaconda is a historic smelter city of 9,421 people in Deer Lodge County, 26 miles west of Butte at 5,335 feet elevation. For nearly a century, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company — founded by Copper King Marcus Daly in 1883 — defined the local economy, operating the world's largest non-ferrous smelting plant and employing thousands. When Atlantic Richfield Company closed the smelter in 1980, Anaconda lost its economic anchor almost overnight. What followed was one of Montana's most remarkable recoveries: massive Superfund environmental cleanup, the transformation of toxic smelter land into the Jack Nicklaus-designed Old Works Golf Course, and a pivot toward tourism, healthcare, and trades. Today Anaconda's economy is more diversified than at any point in its history. This guide covers industry composition, employment statistics, and what job seekers should know about working in a town that has reinvented itself from company town to recreation gateway. For the full town profile, see our Anaconda guide.
Employment at a Glance
Industry Breakdown
Anaconda's employment spans 3 major sectors. Education & Healthcare leads at 25.8%, anchored by the local hospital, clinic system, and Anaconda Public Schools — a natural top employer in a consolidated city-county of under 10,000 people. Tourism & Hospitality follows at 11.3%, driven by Georgetown Lake, Discovery Ski Area, Fairmont Hot Springs, and the Old Works Golf Course. Construction ranks third at 10.7%, fueled by ongoing Superfund remediation work, infrastructure improvements, and new residential development as Anacondaattracts buyers seeking affordable southwest Montana living.
| Industry | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services, Healthcare & Social Assistance | 25.8% | |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation & Food | 11.3% | |
| Construction | 10.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
The Smelter Legacy
The Anaconda Copper Mining Company operated the Washoe Reduction Works from the 1880s until 1980, at its peak employing thousands of workers and processing copper ore shipped by rail from Butte's underground mines. The 585-foot Washoe Smelter Stack — once the tallest freestanding masonry structure in the world — still dominates the skyline as a monument to that era. Anaconda was the quintessential company town: Daly built the smelter, the railroad, the hotel, and much of the housing. When Atlantic Richfield closed the smelter, the economic fallout was devastating — job losses cascaded through every sector, businesses shuttered, and the population declined sharply through the 1980s.
The recovery came through an unlikely source: environmental cleanup. The Anaconda smelter site was designated a Superfund priority, and the EPA-led remediation brought federal dollars, construction jobs, and a long-term economic anchor. The most visible result is the Old Works Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course built directly on reclaimed smelter land, complete with distinctive black slag sand bunkers. The course opened in 1997 and has been a tourism driver ever since. Remediation work continues to this day, sustaining construction and environmental services employment.
Tourism and Recreation Economy
Tourism & Hospitality accounts for 11.3% of Anaconda's employment — a sector that barely existed during the smelter era. Georgetown Lake, a 2,800-acre reservoir 15 miles west, draws anglers, boaters, and ice fishermen year-round. Discovery Ski Area, 20 miles west on the Pintler Scenic Route, provides winter recreation employment. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, just 8 miles east, is a major regional destination. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Lost Creek State Park, and hundreds of miles of trails in the Deerlodge National Forest add to the outdoor recreation economy.
Unlike Glacier- or Yellowstone-gateway towns, Anaconda's tourism is not dominated by a single national park. This produces a more moderate seasonal swing — Georgetown Lake and Discovery Ski keep winter activity higher than in summer-only resort towns, and the golf course draws visitors from May through October. The trade-off is that total tourism volume is lower, meaning hospitality wages and tip income tend to be more modest.
Construction and Remediation
At 10.7% of employment, construction is well above the Montana average. Ongoing Superfund remediation and infrastructure work provide a steady baseline of jobs unique to Anaconda. Beyond cleanup, new residential construction and renovation of Anaconda's historic housing stock keep builders, electricians, and plumbers employed. The city's affordable home prices relative to Butte and the broader southwest Montana market have attracted buyers, supporting continued building activity.
Commuting to Butte
Anaconda sits just 26 miles — roughly 30 minutes — west of Butte via Montana Highway 1 or Interstate 90. This proximity is a significant economic advantage: many Anacondaresidents commute to Butte for employment at Montana Tech, St. James Healthcare, NorthWestern Energy, or the various mining and reclamation operations in the Butte-Silver Bow area. Conversely, some Butte workers commute to Anaconda for positions in healthcare, education, or recreation. This interconnected labor market effectively gives Anacondaresidents access to Butte's 34,000-person economy while enjoying lower housing costs and a quieter, recreation-oriented lifestyle.
Labor Force Dynamics
Anaconda's 54.7% labor force participation rate is notably low compared to Montana's statewide average near 63%. This reflects the city's demographic profile: a significant share of the population is retired or semi-retired, drawn by affordable housing, hot springs, and outdoor recreation. The 4.9% unemployment rate is manageable and consistent with Montana's broader labor market. With a labor force of 4,682 and 4,452 employed, the market is small but stable — seasonal fluctuations in tourism and construction are buffered by the year-round healthcare and education sectors.
Key Takeaways for Job Seekers
- Education & Healthcare is the largest sector at 25.8% — the local hospital, clinics, and school district provide stable, non-seasonal employment.
- Tourism & Hospitality at 11.3% offers seasonal work tied to Georgetown Lake, Discovery Ski Area, Fairmont Hot Springs, and Old Works Golf Course.
- Construction and environmental remediation at 10.7% provide above-average opportunities for skilled tradespeople, partly driven by ongoing Superfund work.
- Butte is 26 miles east, giving commuters access to Montana Tech, St. James Healthcare, mining operations, and the broader Butte-Silver Bow job market.
- Agriculture & Mining still accounts for 4.9% of jobs, a legacy of the region's copper and ranching heritage.
- Anaconda's low labor force participation (54.7%) reflects a large retired population — competition for entry-level and service jobs is moderate.
- For state job openings, check the Montana state jobs portal. For federal positions, see USAJobs.gov.
For a detailed look at how wages align with expenses, see our Anaconda cost of living guide.