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.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 700 (0.1%) for a total of 890,100 in September. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included Natural Resources (2.2%); Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (1.6%); Finance and Insurance (1.3%); Other Services (1.0%); Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (0.9%); Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (0.8%) and Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (0.6%).

Industries that experienced job decreases in September included Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-1.1%); Accommodation and Food Services (-0.8%); Wholesale Trade (-0.8%); Durable Goods Manufacturing (-0.7%); Local Government (-0.7%) and State Government (-0.3%).

Three of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job gains in September. Coeur d’Alene saw the largest increase at 0.4%, followed by Pocatello (0.2%) and Idaho Falls (0.1%). Lewiston experienced a decrease of 0.7%, while Twin Falls and Boise saw decreases of 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively.

Year over Year

Idaho’s 3.6% unemployment rate for September 2026 was the same as in 2025. The labor force declined by 11,107 (-1.1%), as the number of employed Idahoans decreased by 10,684 (-1.1%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 423 (-1.2%).

Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1.0% (8,900). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-8.2%); Federal Government (-7.7%); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-6.3%); State Government (-3.4%); Information (-2.2%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-0.9%); Accommodation and Food Services (-0.3%); Wholesale Trade (-0.3%) and Local Government (-0.2%).

Two of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in September. Coeur d’Alene had an increase of 1.7%, while Boise saw an increase of 0.5%. Idaho Falls experienced the greatest decrease at 1.7%, followed by Twin Falls (-1.3%), Pocatello (-1.0%) and Lewiston (-0.7%).

National Comparisons

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased between August and September, up to 4.2%. The number of unemployed increased by 78,000 (1.1%) to 7.1 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000 to 159 million.

September 2026 employment data

Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:

Nov. 20, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for October 2026
Dec. 18, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for November 2026

Find more labor market information at lmi.idaho.gov.

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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