Author Archives: Idaho Department of Labor

About Idaho Department of Labor

Our vision is to be Idaho’s first choice for employment services. We connect job seekers with Idaho employers, deliver employment services to Idaho businesses and support people during career and life transitions.

Labor economists to present webinar on how Idaho’s hiring demand has evolved

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 4, 2026
Media Contact: Brandon.Duong@labor.idaho.gov or Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economists Brandon Duong and Ryan Whitesides will be discussing Idaho’s hiring landscape from pre‑pandemic years to today at a webinar, Tuesday, Aug. 11.

This webinar breaks down where employers are struggling and where opportunities are opening up.

“Understanding how long jobs sit open and which industries are tightening isn’t just an economic story, but it affects the everyday experience of finding or filling a job,” Whitesides said.

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Labor adds third mobile location in south central Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A new Idaho Department of Labor mobile location is open in Rupert in south central Idaho. The location is at Rupert City Hall — making 22 mobile locations available across the state.

The expansion provides more options for residents to use Labor’s services in the south central region, such as helping with writing resumes, applying for jobs, prepping for interviews and filing for unemployment insurance benefits. Additionally, job training and other community resources are available.

Services for businesses are also available. This includes helping businesses with listing jobs, recruiting employees, organizing hiring events and providing access to job training programs.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, July 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of July and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Regional news

  • The northern region reported 45 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 382 average weekly continuing claims during June 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 14% from the previous month and 20.2% from the 56 average weekly initial claims filed in June 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims increased 2.5% from May 2026 and decreased 21.7% from June 2025. Statewide continuing claims increased 1.9% from last month and decreased 7.8% from June 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Big Tree Construction is planning The Wilder – a new three-level mixed-use building in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The Wilder will comprise 3,000 square feet of commercial space on the main floor that will be leased to Ink and Easel Fine Art Gallery and one additional tenant. Source: Inland Northwest Business Watch
  • A open house event was held for the Hagadone Medical Clinic in Coeur d’Alene. Kootenai Health operates the clinic in partnership with the Hagadone Corporation and offers free health services for eligible Hagadone employees and their covered family members. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Lakeside Companies acquired The Highlands Golf Course in Post Falls. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Idaho’s average hourly wage increases 4.7% in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s average wage for all occupations in 2025 was $29.41 per hour, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) program. This amounts to an increase of 4.7%, or $1.31 per hour, from 2024.

Idaho ranked third in the country behind Kentucky and Montana in terms of percentage increase in average wage.

The median wage, representing the midpoint between lowest and highest earners, also rose from $22.34 per hour in 2024 to $23.06 per hour in 2025 — a 3.2% increase over the year. Continue reading →

Idaho receives more than $3.9 million in funding for AmeriCorps programs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 20, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho — the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism — has received a grant of $2,131,088 in competitive funding from AmeriCorps. The funding will expand programming for Idaho State University and the Student Conservation Association, both located in rural Idaho.

Additionally, Serve Idaho was awarded $1,771,644 in formula funding, which will go toward AmeriCorps programs with the University of Idaho, Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, Teach for America and the Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association as well as toward furthering the growth of AmeriCorps within the state. Continue reading →

Department of Labor names new economist for northern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Lorren MorganLorren Morgan is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for northern Idaho, covering Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties. He replaces the previous economist, Sam Wolkenhauer, who is the research analyst supervisor at the department.

Morgan earned a bachelor’s of science in biology with two minors in economics and chemistry from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in 2022.

He briefly attended the University of Washington School of Medicine before pivoting toward economics to complete a post‑baccalaureate bachelor’s of science in economics at EWU in 2026.

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Idaho’s June unemployment rate remains at 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2026
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between May and June, staying at 3.7%.

June’s labor force decreased by 1,913 (-0.2%) people to 1,000,382 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 May and June to 61.8%.

Total employment decreased by 2,028 (-0.2%) to 963,614 and unemployment increased by 115 (0.3%) to 36,768. Continue reading →

Past 100 years of Idaho’s history inform current job trends

July 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States and the 136th anniversary of Idaho’s statehood. As the 43rd state admitted to the union in 1890, Idaho is a relatively young entrant, but its first few decades of statehood have proven to be pivotal cornerstones for the current labor market trends of the 2020s.

Idaho’s formation as an agricultural state

The federal passage of the 1894 Carey Act allowed arid western states like Idaho to reclaim up to one million acres of what was previously deemed as unusable desert federal land. After reclamation, states could then grant the productive land to settlers in up to 160-acre parcels.[1]

Most Carey Act projects were funded between 1905-1923. Idaho was considered one of the program’s primary beneficiaries as it far exceeded the initial one million acres. By 1920, approximately one-fourth of Idaho’s 2.5 million irrigated acres were a direct result of Carey Act projects.[2] Continue reading →

Northern Idaho event will feature hiring employers and resources

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 9, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event and resource fair Tuesday, July 14, at North Idaho College.

The address is 495 N. College Dr.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Heritage Health, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, North Idaho College, Northwest Traffic Control LLC, SAGE Truck Driving Schools, Silverlake Automotive, Spokane Produce and more.

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Learn about the past 100 years of Idaho employment at Labor webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 7, 2026
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Lisa Grigg will compare and contrast how economic factors in the 1920s and 2020s have structurally shaped Idaho employment in a webinar, Tuesday, July 14.

“Both of these eras – 100 years apart – highlight how Idaho’s labor market has adapted to significant technological shifts and external labor shocks,” Grigg said. “Many decisions in the 1920s surrounding the state’s natural resources and occupational roles laid important cornerstones for the labor market of today.”

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