NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2025
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased between June and July, from 3.6% to 3.7%.
July’s labor force decreased by 451 people to 1,010,133 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.2 percentage points between June and July, down to 63.2%.
Total employment decreased by 643 (-0.1%) to 973,241 and unemployment increased by 192 (0.5%) to 36,892.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 2,200 jobs (0.2%) for a total of 883,900 in July. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included administrative, support and waste management services (2.1%); construction (1%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (0.9%); arts, entertainment and recreation (0.6%); private educational services (0.6%) and nondurable goods manufacturing (0.6%).
Industries that experienced job losses in July included information (-1.1%), management of companies and enterprises (-1.1%), durable goods manufacturing (-0.9%), federal government (-0.7%), wholesale trade (-0.3%) and retail trade (-0.1%).
Four of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in July. Twin Falls had the largest increase of 0.6%, followed by Coeur d’Alene (0.5%), Boise (0.3%) and Idaho Falls (0.2%). Pocatello experienced no change, while Lewiston had a decrease of 0.3%.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.7% unemployment rate for July 2025 was the same as in 2024. The labor force grew 0.5% (5,026), as the number of employed Idahoans increased by 5,358 (0.6%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 332 (-0.9%).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1.9% (16,500). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except federal government (-5.5%); wholesale trade (-4.1%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (-1.4%) and retail trade (-0.5%).
All but one of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in July. Coeur d’Alene had the greatest increase at 2.9%, followed by Boise (2.7%), Pocatello (2.2%), Twin Falls (1.8%) and Idaho Falls (1.6%). Lewiston experienced no noticeable change.
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased between June and July, up to 4.2%. The number of unemployed increased by 221,000 (3.2%) to 7.2 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 73,000 to 159.5 million.
Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:
Sept. 19, 2025 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for August 2025
Oct. 17, 2025 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for September 2025
More Idaho labor market information can be found at lmi.idaho.gov
This project is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an Employment and Training Administration award totaling $695,785.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.