NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between July and August, staying at 3.7%.
August’s labor force decreased by 627 (0.1%) people to 1,009,419 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 July and August, down to 63.1%.
Total employment decreased by 778 (-0.1%) to 972,377 and unemployment increased by 151 (0.4%) to 37,042.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 200 jobs for a total of 881,900 in August. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included accommodation and food services (1.7%), management of companies and enterprises (1.1%), private educational services (0.6%), nondurable goods manufacturing (0.6%) and retail trade (0.5%).
Industries that experienced job losses in August included natural resources (-2.2%); federal government (-1.5%); administrative, support and waste management services (-1.1%); real estate and rental and leasing (-0.8%); arts, entertainment and recreation (-0.6%); construction (-0.6%); finance and insurance (-0.6%); durable goods manufacturing (-0.5%); professional, scientific and technical services (-0.5%); state government (-0.3%) and wholesale trade (-0.3%).
Five of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in August. Lewiston had the largest increase of 0.7%, followed by Idaho Falls (0.6%), Pocatello (0.5%), Boise (0.2%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.1%). Twin Falls experienced no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.7% unemployment rate for August 2025 was the same as in 2024. The labor force grew 0.2% (2,173), as the number of employed Idahoans increased by 2,838 (0.3%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 665 (-1.8%).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1.5% (12,900). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except federal government (-6.9%); state government (-6.6%); wholesale trade (-5.2%); administrative, support and waste management services (-2.1%) and healthcare and social services (-0.5%).
All but one of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in August. Pocatello had the greatest increase at 2.7%, followed by Coeur d’Alene (2.6%), Boise (2.3%), Idaho Falls (1.7%) and Twin Falls (1.4%). Lewiston experienced no noticeable change.
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased between July and August, up to 4.3%. The number of unemployed increased by 148,000 (2%) to 7.4 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 22,000 to 159.5 million.
Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:
Oct. 17, 2025 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for September 2025
Nov. 19, 2025 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for October 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 $714,542.
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.