Farmers and ranchers make up about five percent of the total population in Montana, and about 17 percent of Montanans work in agriculture‑related jobs. Most farms and ranches are still family owned and operated, and some have been passed down from generation to generation since the 1800s.

Farmers and ranchers take good care of the land because they want to pass it on to their children. Since they depend on the land for their livelihoods, they work hard to preserve it. But not all Montanans are cowboys, farmers, or ranchers—people across the state work in many different kinds of jobs.

Jobs

• Artist
• Business
• Careers in Agriculture
• Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
• Mechanic
• Montana Department of Agriculture
• Pharmacist
• Teacher

Historical Montana Jobs: Stories About Saddles and Saddlemakers

• Connolly Saddlery Got Its Start in Ireland
• Furstnow Made the Saddle that Made Miles City Famous
• It Was a Wonderful Gift From Great‑Grandfather
• They Came to Montana With Three Horses, Three Cows, and Two Boys
• With My Saddle, My Horse, and My Cousins, I Rode Three Miles to Indian Arrow School

Source: 2024 State Agriculture Overview

Updated: January 12, 2026