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Idaho’s September unemployment rate remains at 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 16, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between August and September, staying at 3.6%.

September’s labor force decreased by 508 (-0.1%) people to 997,822 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.1 percentage point between August and September to 61.4%.

Total employment decreased by 585 (-0.1%) to 961,587 and unemployment increased by 77 (0.2%) to 36,235.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, October 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of October and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Regional news

  • Unemployment insurance (UI) weekly claims: The northern region reported an average of 69 weekly initial UI claims and 347 weekly continuing claims in September 2026. Initial claim volume increased 38.1% from the previous month and 6.2% from September 2025. However, continuing claim volume decreased 15.3% from September 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims increased 1.8% from August 2026 and decreased 10.7% from September 2025. Statewide weekly continuing claims decreased 13.5% from the previous month and 15.1% from September 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • The Sandpoint City Council approved agreements advancing the planned reconstruction of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project includes an estimated $60 million first phase, with total costs potentially reaching $130 million. The city selected Stantec Consulting Services Inc. as the owner’s representative and will begin project planning, engineering coordination, budgeting and procurement activities. Source: Sandpoint Reader
  • A new Post Falls community celebrated the completion of an affordable housing project. The approximately $6.5 million starter‑home development was funded through a public‑private partnership that resulted in the construction of 28 shared‑equity homes on a 4.7‑acre site in Post Falls. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining is expanding its operational reach through the acquisition of approximately 14,100 additional acres in eastern Shoshone County. According to company officials, the combination of expanded land holdings and ongoing redevelopment of the Sunshine Mine positions the company to pursue short‑term production and sustain long‑term exploration activities. Sunshine Silver has identified late 2028 as its target for returning to production. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Construction is underway on a new $9 million, 30,500-square-foot multicourt gymnasium at Christian Center School in Hayden. The facility will feature a double-court configuration, fitness and training areas, locker rooms and a multipurpose commons area. Once completed, the facility will accommodate up to 800 attendees for games, tournaments and community events. Source: Spokane Journal of Business

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Boise hiring event provides opportunity to network with employers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 28, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Nov. 5, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event is from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including Boise State University, CS Beef Packers, Idaho Bankers Association, Mountain Home Police Department, Office of Information Technology Services, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, West Ada School District and others.

Open positions available include homecare aides, electricians, tax professionals, certified nursing assistants, detention deputies, food service officers, law enforcement records specialists, associate auditors, project managers, program managers, building facility specialists and more.

For a complete list of employers attending, visit the department’s calendar.

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Governor recognizes Arco volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 26, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

An Arco volunteer was honored for her service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Thursday, Oct. 22.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, recognized Jeanne Keller with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for her exceptional volunteer service.

Keller founded Wish Upon a Star: Christmas for the Children and has dedicated 29 years to helping families and children experiencing economic hardship. Each holiday season, she volunteers approximately 60 hours a week to help provide Christmas gifts, clothing and food to families throughout the Lost River Valley. Continue reading →

Hiring event in Pocatello features variety of positions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 22, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the department’s Pocatello office. The address is 430 N. 5th Ave.

The event is from 1 to 4 p.m.

Employers attending include All Ways Caring HomeCare, Bannock County, City of Blackfoot, Equus Workforce Solutions, Great Rift Transportation, H&H Treatment Programs, Idaho Youth Ranch, Lamb Weston, SME Steel, Transportation Security Administration, Virginia Transformer Corp and more.

Open positions available include behavioral intervention specialists, assistant deputy sheriffs, wastewater collections operators, forklift operators, electricians, food service workers, customer service specialists, maintenance technicians and others.

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Meet employers at hiring event in Kootenai County

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 14, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the department’s Post Falls office. The address is 600 N. Thornton St.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Employers planning to attend include Idaho Division of Veterans Services, North Idaho College Workforce Training, Serengeti Care, Coeur d’Alene Schools, CornerStone Senior Living, Milestone Decisions, Huntwood Custom Cabinets, Sevita Health, Toastmasters and Atlas Staffing, Inc.

Open positions available include registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, cabinet sales and design specialists, temporary recreation assistants, machine operators and caregivers.

For a complete list of employers attending, visit the department’s calendar. Continue reading →

Employers will learn about unemployment insurance process at webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 8, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about the unemployment insurance (UI) process from the Idaho Department of Labor during a webinar, Thursday, Oct. 22, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. MT.

Adjudication Supervisor Eric Erickson and UI Claims Adjudicator Kim Eisenbarth will discuss in detail the different employee separations (laid off, discharged or quit), separation documentation, investigating unemployment claims, determining claim outcomes, chargeability and liability, claimant eligibility, employer attachment and using E-services.

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Idaho expected to see annual employment growth over national average through 2034

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 7, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s labor market is expected to continue its significant expansion through the end of the decade, with a projected employment growth rate of 1.3% per year and a total employment count reaching 1,028,760 by 2034. These new long-term employment projections are estimates from the Idaho Department of Labor and cover the period from 2024-2034.

Idaho’s long-term projected growth rate of 1.3% is significantly higher than the national forecast. The most recent projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipate a national growth rate of approximately 0.3% annually — less than one fourth of the projected growth rate for Idaho.

These projections are consistent with Idaho’s record of strong job creation in recent years, including rapid growth from 2010-2020, and an economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that was among the strongest in the nation. Continue reading →

Labor economist will present data on self-employment in Idaho at upcoming webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 6, 2026
Media Contact: Knox.Freedman@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Knox Freedman will be examining self-employment statistics and evaluating trends in the state at a webinar, Tuesday, Oct. 13.

This webinar will also analyze the impacts of self-employment on the broader labor market and economy, as well as its relationship to wages and labor supply.

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Idaho’s job market experiences rising demand, stubborn shortages and changing expectations

Idaho’s labor market has changed significantly over the past 10 years. For many years, Idaho employers were generally better at finding workers than other states. However, more recent job vacancy data, such as the time it takes to fill jobs, turnover rates and job postings, show that expectations have shifted. Employers now find it harder to fill open jobs, while workers have more opportunities.

Job vacancy yield

The past few years have seen some of the tightest labor markets in modern history for both Idaho and the nation, making it difficult for many employers to fill open positions. One of the indicators of how effectively employers are able to fill jobs is the monthly vacancy yield, which measures the number of hires each month compared with the number of job openings remaining from the previous month.

As shown in Figure 1 below, Idaho employers have hired about one person for every job vacancy at many points over the past decade, which is considered strong labor demand. Continue reading →