Idaho’s July unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 21, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between June and July, from 3.7% to 3.6%.

July’s labor force decreased by 1,523 (-0.2%) people to 998,870 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 to 61.6%.

Total employment decreased by 1,007 (-0.1%) to 962,626 and unemployment decreased by 516 (-1.4%) to 36,244.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 1,200 (0.1%) for a total of 886,800 in July. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included Information (2.3%); Natural Resources (2.2%); Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (1.7%); Finance and Insurance (1.0%); Other Services (1.0%); Local Government (0.8%); Private Educational Services (0.5%) and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (0.5%).

Industries that experienced job decreases in July included Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-1.7%); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-1.4%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-0.6%); Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-0.6%) and Accommodation and Food Services (-0.5%).

Two of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job gains in July. Boise and Coeur d’Alene both saw an increase of 0.1%. Lewiston and Idaho Falls experienced decreases of 0.7% and 0.2%, respectively. Pocatello and Twin Falls experienced no change.

Year over Year

Idaho’s 3.6% unemployment rate for July 2026 was the same as in 2025. The labor force declined by 8,416 (-0.8%), as the number of employed Idahoans decreased by 8,277 (-0.9%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 139 (-0.4%).

Total nonfarm jobs increased by 0.5% (4,200). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-11.2%); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-6.5%); Federal Government (-6.3%); State Government (-5.5%); Accommodation and Food Services (-2.4%); Information (-2.2%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-2.2%) and Wholesale Trade (-0.3%).

Three of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in July. Lewiston had the greatest increase at 0.7%, followed by Boise (0.6%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.5%). Idaho Falls and Pocatello both experienced a decrease of 1.5%, while Twin Falls saw a decrease of 1.0%.

National Comparisons

Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between June and July, down to 4.1%. The number of unemployed decreased by 178,000 (-2.5%) to 6.9 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 23,000 to 158.9 million.

July unemployment rate information

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Upcoming Idaho release schedule:

Sept. 18, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for August 2026
Oct. 16, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for September 2026

More Idaho labor market information can be found at lmi.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Dial 711 for Idaho Relay Service.

This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY26 as part of a Workforce Information grant (41%) and state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595.

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