Category Archives: News Releases

Idaho’s February unemployment rate remains at 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

February’s labor force decreased by 1,683 (-0.2%) people to 1,008,136 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 January and February, down to 62.7%.

Total employment decreased by 1,539 (-0.2%) to 971,186 and unemployment decreased by 144 (-0.4%) to 36,950. Continue reading →

Idaho receives benchmark adjustments for 2025 labor force statistics

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Every February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) performs a nationwide benchmarking process to incorporate data that was unavailable during regular monthly publications, such as new population estimates from the United States Census Bureau and employment data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

The benchmarking process includes revisions to state labor force estimates: population, employed, unemployed, unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs.

After benchmarking, the BLS adjustments made for Idaho resulted in lower unemployment rates than were initially reported for most of 2025. However, the post-benchmarked unemployment rate for December 2025 remained at 3.6%. The unemployment rate for January 2026 was released on April 6.

Benchmarked data for counties, cities, and smaller statistical areas will be available May 22, 2026.

Additional benchmark data is available at lmi.idaho.gov/data-tools/labor-force-statistics/

Other Idaho labor market information can be found at lmi.idaho.gov

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This project is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an Employment and Training Administration award totaling $695,785.

Idaho’s January unemployment rate increases to 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased between December and January, from 3.6% to 3.7%.

December’s labor force decreased by 105 people to 1,009,832 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 December and January, down to 62.8%.

Total employment decreased by 504 (-0.1%) to 972,737 and unemployment increased by 399 (1.1%) to 37,095. Continue reading →

Economists will highlight migration, housing and work-from-home trends in upcoming webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2026
Media Contact: Brandon.Duong@labor.idaho.gov or Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov

The U.S. Census Bureau has released its first full post-pandemic sample of data for Idaho counties in its 5-year American Community Survey (ACS).

Idaho Department of Labor Economists Brandon Duong and Seth Harrington will be analyzing the released data including trends in migration, housing and work-from-home at a webinar, Tuesday, April 7.

Continue reading →

Hiring event offers various positions including machinists and dispatchers in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, April 8, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at noon in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Addus HomeCare, Autovol, Boise State University, Idaho Power, Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, Treasure Valley YMCA and more.

Open positions available include 911 communications dispatchers, registered nurses, computer numerical control machinists, security control specialists, forklift operators, safety coordinators, home care aids, senior contracting specialists and many more.

Continue reading →

Census release shows most of Idaho’s counties grew in population in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Thirty-six of Idaho’s 44 counties grew in population in 2025, with 20 growing faster than in 2024, according to annual U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. This translates to 80% of Idaho’s counties growing in population — much higher than the nation’s share of 60%.

Five of Idaho’s urban counties — Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, Bonneville and Twin Falls — added at least 1,000 new residents in 2025. The three most populous counties of Ada, Canyon and Kootenai collectively accounted for more than 75% of the state’s annual population growth and over 22,000 new residents.

Annual population growth rates ranged from a low of -1% in Franklin and Fremont counties to a high of 2.9% in Canyon. Ada had the highest total increase of over 10,000 new residents while Blaine had the largest decline of 184.

Continue reading →

Hiring event in Canyon County offers career opportunities, March 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Caldwell.

The event will take place at the department’s Caldwell office, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

Employers attending include Ada County Highway District, City of Caldwell Parks & Recreation, Durham School Services – West Ada, D&B Supply, Gem County, Idaho Division of Human Resources, Terzo Enterprises and more.

Positions available include accounting clerks, certified nursing assistants, general equipment operators, lifeguards, seasonal laborers, truck drivers, weatherization technicians and others. Continue reading →

Secretary of State McGrane shares AmeriCorps experience to help kick off AmeriCorps Week

NEWS RELEASE

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

Secretary of State Phil McGrane featured in overalls during his time in AmeriCorps.

Secretary of State Phil McGrane during his time in AmeriCorps (pictured on the right).

This year’s AmeriCorps Week takes place March 8-14 and celebrates the theme “AmeriCorps in Action: Americans serving America.”

Secretary of State Phil McGrane shared his experience to illustrate how volunteering with AmeriCorps can shape a career in public service.

McGrane served for Habitat for Humanity, an AmeriCorps program, from August 2002–2003 in Anniston, Alabama. During his year of service, he oversaw hundreds of volunteers as a part of a massive team effort to build 40 homes for those in need. Continue reading →

ICONIC program hosts Contractor Day in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Boise

NEWS RELEASE

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

Construction contractors are invited to meet prospective heavy equipment operators this spring in three Idaho communities as part of the ICONIC program.

When participants are close to obtaining their certification in heavy equipment operation from the Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program, local businesses are invited to meet participants and see their ability to use heavy machinery.

Continue reading →

Businesses are encouraged to apply for skills training funds

NEWS RELEASE

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

The Idaho Department of Labor has been awarded an $8 million Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support training in advanced manufacturing, domestic mineral production and nuclear energy industries.

“Idaho’s continued economic growth depends on making sure our workforce has the skills employers need to succeed,” Governor Brad Little said. “This investment helps strengthen our partnerships with industry while creating more opportunities for Idahoans to train for good-paying, in-demand jobs that support our communities and our economy.”

Labor staff are accepting funding applications from employers in advanced manufacturing technologies across a variety of innovation-driven industries. Employers can get up to 80% reimbursement for approved training costs (up to $25,000 per employee) to expand their workforce or upskill current employees. Continue reading →