Tag Archives: Idaho

Survey highlights a more stable labor market but continuing retention issues for Idaho employers in 2025

The 2025 Business Climate Survey results show both cautious optimism and continued labor force bottlenecks for Idaho employers. Although the state’s labor situation is cooling to a more balanced market than when the survey was initiated in 2023, the inability for some Idaho employers to attract and retain workers in 2025 continues to result in operational gaps.

Fewer employers looking to add jobs; low expectations to reduce headcount

The share of employers expecting to add jobs over the next five years has gradually decreased over the past three surveys but has been offset by an increase in those expecting to maintain employment at current levels (see Figure 1).

Overall, approximately 90% of Idaho employers expect to either maintain or increase their employee count within the next five years. Inversely, around 9% of employers expect their workforce to shrink — a ratio consistent with the survey responses of the past three years. Continue reading →

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.

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 →

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

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.”

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 →