Category Archives: News Releases

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. Continue reading →

Unemployment insurance workshop happening Aug. 27 for employers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 19, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) Thursday, Aug. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Caldwell office, 4515 Thomas Jefferson St.

UI Supervisor Vicki Raass will discuss in detail the different employee separations (laid off, discharged or quit), separation documentation, investigating unemployment claims, determining claim outcomes, chargeability and liability, claimant eligibility, employer attachment and using E-services.

Continue reading →

Unemployment insurance (UI) claimants must thoroughly document work search actions

NEWS RELEASE

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

The Idaho Department of Labor has identified an increase in UI claimants being denied benefits as a result of insufficient work search documentation.

Claimants must prove they are actively searching for work by completing five work search actions a week. Details and contact information for the action are then submitted by the claimant in their weekly certification. If the information provided cannot be verified by the department, benefits may be denied and overpayments may be established. Continue reading →

Connect with employers at hiring event in Coeur d’Alene

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 6, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The address is 702 E. Front Ave.

The event is from noon to 3 p.m.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including AccraFab Inc., Apex Masonry, Buck Knives, Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Discount Tire, Fresenius Medical Care, North Idaho College, Silverlake Automotive and more.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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 →