Category Archives: News Releases

Governor recognizes Oakley volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 29, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A volunteer from Oakley received recognition for his service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Thursday Aug. 28.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, proudly recognized Blake Matthews with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for his exceptional volunteer service.

Matthews’ volunteer commitment is rooted in family tradition, beginning with his grandfather’s involvement in the Oakley Vigilantes. This year, when leadership was unavailable, he stepped forward to lead Oakley Pioneer Days, a community celebration dating back to the late 1800s. Continue reading →

Idaho’s average hourly wage increases 5.1% in 2024

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 25, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s average wage for all occupations in 2024 was $28.10 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 5.1%, or $1.35 per hour, from 2023.

The median wage, representing the midpoint between lowest and highest earners, also rose from $21.27 per hour in 2023 to $22.34 per hour in 2024 — a 5% increase over the year.

Six out of seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Idaho had average and median wage increases in 2024. The Pocatello MSA experienced the largest increase with both average and median hourly wage growing by over $2 per hour. Continue reading →

ICONIC program offers construction training in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 21, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Free training is available for Idahoans wanting to pursue a career in heavy equipment operation in Boise, Oct. 6 to Nov. 7.

The five-week intensive course involves a mix of classroom and hands-on learning.

The Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program is a path to a rewarding career in highway construction. Most graduates who participate in the program go on to obtain their commercial driver’s license to operate heavy vehicles.

Certifications in flagging and safety are also options to graduates.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate increases to 3.7% in July

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2025
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

July’s labor force decreased by 451 people to 1,010,133 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, down to 63.2%.

Total employment decreased by 643 (-0.1%) to 973,241 and unemployment increased by 192 (0.5%) to 36,892. Continue reading →

Labor economist to analyze Idaho’s marginal labor force at August webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2025
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Lisa Grigg will discuss the subsections of Idaho’s population that are potentially overlooked and underutilized within the labor force at a webinar, Tuesday, Aug. 19.

“Labor force numbers show Idaho’s trends in both employment and unemployment, but there is a large portion of the population that it misses. If someone wants a job, but is not actively sending out resumes or contacting employers – they are not considered part of the labor force,” Grigg said. “This webinar is meant to try to help employers understand the main reasons job seekers may drop out of the labor force – even if they would prefer to be employed.”

Continue reading →

Governor recognizes Orofino volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 30, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Pictured above: Jo Moore (left) and Susan Jacobson (right).

A volunteer from Orofino received recognition for her service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Thursday July 24.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, recognized Jo Moore with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for her exceptional volunteer service.

Moore was nominated by Susan Jacobson, president of the Clearwater Community Complex, for her dedication and commitment to ensuring a public aquatic facility is built. She has raised funds, gathered community input and support and provided weekly updates to the local paper on the progress of the project. Continue reading →

Hiring event brings job opportunities to Coeur d’Alene

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 30, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A hiring event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 6, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Employers planning to attend include All Ways Caring HomeCare, Buck Knives, Coeur d’Alene School District, Easterseals-Goodwill, Equus Workforce Solutions, Hilton Grand Vacations, Inland Chess Club, North Idaho Dental Group, PotlatchDeltic and more.

Jobs available include sales representatives, caregivers, certified nursing assistants, night janitorial staff, instructors, agents and others.

Continue reading →

Labor law posters available online for Idaho businesses

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses are again being solicited by private companies to pay for required labor law posters that the Idaho Department of Labor provides online for free.

Employers are required to place the legally mandated posters on safety, wages and discrimination in the workplace where they can easily be seen by employees.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate remains at 3.6% in June

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2025
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between May and June, remaining at 3.6%.

June’s labor force decreased by 541 people (-0.1%) to 1,010,662 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 May and June, down to 63.4%.
Total employment decreased by 426 to 973,958 and unemployment decreased by 115 (-0.3%) to 36,704.

Continue reading →

Labor economist to explore Idaho’s demographics and population projections in July webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 15, 2025
Media Contact: Samuel.Wokenhauer@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Sam Wolkenhauer will discuss Idaho’s demographics and new population projections at a webinar Tuesday, July 22.

“Idaho continues to run contrary to the national trend of flatlining population growth and is one of the fastest growing states,” Wolkenhauer said. “There are a lot of variances within Idaho’s population growth, both in terms of which counties are growing and the age structure of the population.”

Continue reading →