NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 3, 2018

Information Contact: Sam Wolkenhauer (208) 332-3570 ext. 4451 and Hope Morrow (208) 332-3570 ext. 4340

New projections from the Idaho Department of Labor forecast that the state will add just over 105,000 jobs by 2026, bringing total statewide employment to approximately 841,000.

In 2016, statewide employment was 735,000. This new projection indicates expected growth of 14.4 percent for the 10-year period from 2016 to 2026, for an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent.

As high-tech industries continue to grow, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) occupations are projected to grow faster than the rest of the labor market as a whole, at 17 percent. Within STEM fields, health occupations lead the way with a projected growth rate of 23.6 percent. STEM occupations are projected to grow by 14,000 new jobs through 2026, accounting for 14 percent of all new jobs in Idaho.

Beyond STEM, employment growth is projected to occur across a wide swathe of industries in Idaho. Service producing industries are expected to grow at 1.4 percent annually, adding 83,000 new jobs through 2026 and accounting for the bulk of Idaho’s employment growth. Goods-producing industries are projected to grow slightly slower, at 1.2 percent annually, and adding 16,000 jobs by 2026.

Idaho industries with the highest projected growth rates are concentrated in the service sector. Transportation and warehousing has the highest projected growth rate at 3.6 percent, followed by real estate and rental leasing services at 2.4 percent, and health care and social assistance at 2.1 percent. Construction is projected to grow at 1.7 percent annually, which is the highest projected growth rate among goods-producing industries.

Idaho’s expanding labor market is expected to create substantial needs in a variety of occupations. While economic growth is projected to create 105,000 new positions, the routine churn and turnover of the labor market is expected to create approximately 809,000 openings through 2026. This means that roughly 913,000 total job openings will be created in Idaho over 10 years.

The largest numbers of job openings are expected to occur in occupations with a large number of positions and with relatively high turnover rates. Office and administrative support occupations lead the way, with 134,000 projected openings through 2026, followed by food preparation and serving occupations with 114,000 openings, and sales and related occupations with 109,000 openings.

Diverse job growth in Idaho will create openings for workers with a wide variety of educational backgrounds. In 2026, roughly 38 percent of jobs in Idaho will require a high school diploma or less, while 32 percent will require some college but less than a four-year degree, such as an associate degree or occupational certification. Twenty percent proejof Idaho’s jobs will require a bachelor’s degree, while 10 percent will require a master’s degree or higher.

See more details on the labor market website.