Glendive is the Dawson County seat in eastern Montana, a community of 4,873 people at 2,064 feet elevation along the Yellowstone River and I-94. Located 220 miles east of Billings and 80 miles east of Miles City, Glendive has served as a transportation and trade hub since the Northern Pacific Railway arrived in 1881. With a 5.2% unemployment rate — higher than many Montana hubs, reflecting eastern Montana's economic cycles — and a job score of 8.7/10, the labor market is shaped by transportation, energy, and healthcare. This guide covers industry composition, employment statistics, and what job seekers should know. For the full town profile, see our Glendive guide.
Employment at a Glance
Industry Breakdown
Glendive's employment spans 3 major sectors. Education & Healthcare leads at 23.4%, anchored by Glendive Medical Center, Glendive Public Schools, and Dawson Community College — the town's largest employers. Transportation follows at 16.9%, a defining sector driven by the BNSF Railway corridor and I-94 trucking operations. Retail ranks third at 15.2%, serving residents and the surrounding ranch country. Construction at 9.5%, Other Services at 8.3%, and Manufacturing at 7.7% round out a diversified economy built on Glendive's role as a railroad and highway hub.
| Industry | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services, Healthcare & Social Assistance | 23.4% | |
| Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities | 16.9% | |
| Retail Trade | 15.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
Transportation: The Economic Differentiator
Transportation at 16.9% is what sets Glendive apart from most small Montana towns. The BNSF Railway corridor — successor to the Northern Pacific that founded the town in 1881 — runs through Glendive, providing railroad employment from maintenance crews to dispatchers. I-94 carries freight and livestock trucking east toward the Dakotas and west toward Billings, supporting a cluster of trucking firms, fuel stops, and logistics operations. This transportation infrastructure is why Glendive has maintained its role as a service center despite eastern Montana's population decline — goods and rail traffic must still move through.
Energy and Agriculture: Boom-Cycle Sectors
Agriculture & Mining accounts for only 3.1% of in-town employment, but both sectors loom far larger in the broader Dawson County economy. Ranching and wheat farming define the landscape outside town. The Williston Basin — which extends into eastern Montana from North Dakota — has produced periodic oil and gas booms: the 1950s Cedar Creek Anticline discovery, and the 2000s Bakken boom that sent workers and revenue flowing through Glendive. Energy wages help explain the $71,000 median household income, strong for a town of this size. When oil prices are high, Glendive benefits from increased drilling activity, pipeline work, and support services; when prices drop, the economy leans more heavily on transportation, healthcare, and retail.
Tourism and Recreation
Tourism & Hospitality accounts for 6.7% of Glendive's employment — and growing. Makoshika State Park, Montana's largest state park at over 11,500 acres, draws visitors for its badlands formations, dinosaur fossils, and hiking trails. The annual paddlefish season on the Yellowstone River brings anglers from across the region to harvest one of the last wild populations of this prehistoric fish. The Frontier Gateway Museum and local dinosaur exhibits add cultural tourism. The 109-member Glendive Chamber of Commerce promotes "Live. Shop. Local." initiatives that channel tourist dollars into the local economy.
Healthcare and Education
Education & Healthcare at 23.4% is Glendive's largest sector. Glendive Medical Center provides critical-access healthcare for Dawson County and surrounding areas — the nearest larger hospital is 80 miles west in Miles City or 220 miles west in Billings. Glendive Public Schools and Dawson Community College are among the town's largest employers. As the Dawson County seat, Glendive hosts county government offices that provide stable, year-round positions.
Labor Force Dynamics
Glendive's 56.7% labor force participation rate is below Montana's statewide average near 63%. With a labor force of 2,313 and 2,193 employed, the 5.2% unemployment rate reflects eastern Montana's economic cycles — energy booms tighten the labor market, while downturns increase competition for available positions. The BNSF railway and I-94 corridor provide a baseline of steady employment that buffers against the worst of the boom-bust cycle. Remote work has added a new dimension: Glendive's affordable housing and Yellowstone River access attract telecommuters who bring outside income into the local economy.
Key Takeaways for Job Seekers
- Education & Healthcare is the largest sector at 23.4% — Glendive Medical Center, Glendive Public Schools, and Dawson Community College provide stable employment.
- Transportation at 16.9% is the economic differentiator — BNSF Railway and I-94 trucking offer well-paying jobs uncommon in towns this size.
- Retail at 15.2% serves both residents and the surrounding ranch country.
- Energy sector activity from the Williston Basin creates periodic booms — oil and gas wages lift the $71K median household income.
- Tourism at 6.7% is growing, driven by Makoshika State Park, paddlefish season, and dinosaur heritage.
- The 5.2% unemployment rate is higher than most Montana hubs — job seekers should expect more competition during energy downturns.
- The labor force is 2,313 people — a small but diversified market with steady turnover in transportation and healthcare.
- Billings (220 mi west) and Miles City (80 mi west) provide access to larger job markets along I-94.
- 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 Glendive cost of living guide.