NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 18, 2026
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between July and August, staying at 3.6%.
August’s labor force decreased by 486 people to 998,378 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 to 61.5%.
Total employment decreased by 410 to 962,214 and unemployment decreased by 76 (-0.2%) to 36,164.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 2,800 (0.3%) for a total of 890,700 in August. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included Accommodation and Food Services (2.4%); Other Services (1.6%); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (1.4%); Durable Goods Manufacturing (1.3%); Wholesale Trade (0.8%); Construction (0.7%) and Healthcare and Social Services (0.5%).
Industries that experienced job decreases in August included Private Educational Services (-2.7%); Natural Resources (-2.2%); Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-0.9%); Federal Government (-0.8%); Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (-0.8%) and Professional and Business Services (-0.5%).
Three of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job gains in August. Idaho Falls saw the largest increase at 0.8%, followed by Twin Falls (0.4%) and Boise (0.3%). Coeur d’Alene experienced a decrease of 0.3%, while Lewiston and Pocatello saw no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.6% unemployment rate for August 2026 was the same as in 2025. The labor force declined by 9,649 (-1.0%), as the number of employed Idahoans decreased by 9,296 (-1.0%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 353 (-1.0%).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 0.9% (7,800). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-8.1%); Federal Government (-7.0%); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-5.9%); State Government (-4.6%); Information (-3.3%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-1.9%) and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-1.2%).
Three of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in August. Lewiston had the greatest increase at 1.0%, followed by Boise (0.9%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.3%). Pocatello experienced a decrease of 2.2%, while Idaho Falls and Twin Falls saw decreases of 0.9% and 0.8%, respectively.
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged between July and August, remaining at 4.1%. The number of unemployed increased by 115,000 (1.7%) to 7 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 to 159.1 million.
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Upcoming Idaho release schedule:
Oct. 16, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for September 2026
Nov. 20, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for October 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 SFY27 as part of a Workforce Information grant (55%) and state/nonfederal funds (45%) totaling $649,127.
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