The Bakken Oil Region
The Bakken region, a significant oil-producing area in North Dakota and Montana, has seen a shift in its production and employment levels over the past few years.
According to the latest data, updated on July 22, 2025, oil production in Bakken Oil Counties increased by 5% compared to the previous year, while in the rest of North Dakota, production decreased by 25%. Similarly, in the rest of Montana, oil production saw a decrease of 25%.
The employment landscape in the Bakken region has also experienced changes. Employment levels in the region fell steeply in 2015 and 2016 as oil drilling slowed, but resumed a slow climb until early 2020. As of April 2025, the employment level in Bakken Oil Counties stands at 65.80 thousand, a 2.1% increase compared to the previous year. This contrasts with the unemployment rate of 2.5%, a decrease of 0.3% compared to the previous year.
In comparison, employment levels in Rest of Montana and Rest of North Dakota have also seen modest increases. The employment level in Rest of Montana is 550.40 thousand, a 0.4% increase compared to the previous year, while in Rest of North Dakota, it is 362.66 thousand, a 1.1% increase. The unemployment rates in these regions remain relatively low, with Rest of Montana at 2.9% and Rest of North Dakota at 2.5%.
The average weekly wages in Bakken Oil Counties and the surrounding states have also seen variations. In Bakken Oil Counties, the average weekly wages increased by 4.0% to $1,551 in the fourth quarter of 2024. In Rest of Montana, the average weekly wage is $1,166, an increase of 0.4%, while in Rest of North Dakota, it is $1,210, a decrease of 0.2%.
It's important to note that the Bakken area is responsible for most of the oil production in Montana and North Dakota. The city or area where most oil production takes place is the Bakken Formation.
The oil industry in North Dakota, the third largest oil-producing state in the United States, has seen a decrease in oil drilling rigs, with a 17% decrease in June 2025 compared to the previous year.
Despite these changes, the employment levels in the Bakken region have shown a steady increase since 2015, doubling from that period. This growth, coupled with the continued importance of the Bakken region in oil production, suggests a resilient industry in the face of fluctuating market conditions.
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