Economic snapshot: Tax season brings jobs to Idaho

It’s said that there are two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. Indeed, the post-holiday January through April period is widely known for its characteristic W-2 and 1095 tax forms.

For many, Tax Day isn’t just a deadline — it’s employment. Tax Preparation Services specialize in helping people file their tax returns and every year, businesses ramp up hiring for the pre-tax season. As a seasonal industry, recruitment begins between October and December to prepare for the surge of customers in the first quarter. From January to March, employment peaks with hundreds of tax preparers hired in Idaho for the season.

After taxes are due in April, employment drops. In July through September, during the off-season, employment can be at times less than half of peak tax season. This reduced employment can be supported by activities like early filing, extended returns and tax planning.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, March 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of March 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

  • Kootenai Health will take over management of the Hagadone Medical Clinic effective July 1, 2026. The clinic serves to provide primary patient care to Hagadone Corporation health plan members and their covered dependents. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Selkirk Sport received a $30 million investment from private equity firm Bluestone Equity Partners. Selkirk Sport produces pickleball paddles, shoes and accessories. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers opened in Coeur d’Alene in mid-March and hired 135 employees ahead of opening day. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Knight Construction and Supply was awarded a $20 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replace all 11 spillway gates at Albeni Falls Dam in Oldtown. The first replacement gate will arrive in 2027 and construction will be completed during the early 2030s. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • North Idaho Classical Academy in Bonners Ferry continues to make progress on construction of the new charter school. It will initially open to 240 students in grades K-7 in August 2026. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald

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Idaho women favor formal education pathways toward industries like health care, education

In 2024, women accounted for 46% of Idaho’s total occupational employment, making them less represented than men in the overall labor force. However, women were significantly more concentrated than men in the industries of health care, education, personal care services and office and administrative support. [1]

While men hold a higher share of jobs overall, women account for the majority of Idaho’s recent postsecondary education metrics, including both non-degree certificates and advanced degree completions. While data suggests women will continue to favor formal education at elevated levels, the growing diversity of alternative career pathways such as apprenticeships may reshape this pattern in the future. 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 →

Graduate earns fulfilling career upon graduating construction program

About four months ago, Grant Childers was operating heavy equipment at Land Lab Day while enrolled in the ICONIC program in Boise. He was just days away from graduating and earning his certification. Little did he know, he would meet his future employer that day.

Grant Childers stands proudly in his vest at Land Lab Day in November 2025.

Grant Childers stands proudly in his vest at Land Lab Day in November 2025.

“When I first arrived to the field day, the program director immediately introduced me to a few of the instructors at the program. I asked each of them about who they felt were their top candidates and Grant’s name was consistently at the top,” Manager of RivHab Engineering and EarthWorks Zack Billingsley said. “In fact, I specifically remember one of them saying that while there were quite a few candidates that he’d recommend, Grant was in a league of his own.”

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