Tag Archives: Labor market information

Around Idaho: Economic activity, June 2026

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

  • The northern region reported 52 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 474 average weekly continuing claims during May 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 22% from the previous month and 9% from the 57 average weekly initial claims filed in May 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the northern region during May decreased 38% from April 2026 and 14% from the 550 average weekly claims in May 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims decreased 2% from April 2026 and 25% from May 2025. Statewide continuing claims also decreased 19% from last month and 8% from May 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Encompass Health plans to build a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Post Falls. Construction is planned to be completed in 2028 and will be the second location in Idaho — along with Boise. Source: Encompass Health
  • Jacklin Northwest is developing Jacklin Ranch Retail Center in Post Falls with 12 leasable spaces covering 18,000 square feet. The groundbreaking is planned for fall 2026 with completion in 2027. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining grossed over $300 million in proceeds after closing an initial public offering of 23 million shares of common stock. The Sunshine Mine is expected to restart silver and antimony operations in late 2028 with plans for a 24-year mine life. Source: Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining

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Idaho’s May unemployment rate increases to 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

May’s labor force decreased by 1,203 (-0.1%) people to 1,002,324 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 April and May, down to 62.0%.

Total employment decreased by 1,349 (-0.1%) to 965,666 and unemployment increased by 146 (0.4%) to 36,658. Continue reading →

Methods of calculating Idaho’s wage and income data

Income is a foundational metric for assessing the economic health of Idaho’s households and workers across time, making geographic comparisons and directly comparing household income flows to expenses. However, income data can often be confusing, because it is provided by various official agencies using different methods.

Defining key terms

Important data related to income is published by the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Broadly speaking, the data from these three agencies varies by source, estimation basis and their definition of income (Figure 1). Continue reading →

Idaho’s labor market outlook for recent college graduates and young workers

The transition from college to career has always been a pivotal life moment, but in the current labor market, that transition is becoming more of a challenge, as structural shifts and slowdowns in white-collar industries may affect early career pathways.

While both the U.S. and Idaho labor markets have cooled from the post-pandemic boom of 2022, the national labor market has slowed substantially, especially compared with Idaho’s labor market. Idaho’s percentage growth in average hourly wages and nonfarm employment almost doubled the nation from 2022 to 2025.

Idaho’s labor market indicators show the state is still experiencing growth, while the national indicators show declining demand for labor and lower wage gains. As a result, Idaho’s labor market is better equipped to handle these headwinds than the more anemic national economy.

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Learn about the job outlook for recent graduates at Labor webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 4, 2026
Media Contact: Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Seth Harrington will be talking about the factors that have brought the highest unemployment rate among young college graduates over the past decade (excluding the pandemic) during a webinar Tuesday, June 9.

Several factors will be discussed in the context of these hiring challenges, including whether Artificial Intelligence is playing a major role in the labor market for new graduates. Trends will also be shown from a nationwide perspective.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, May 2026

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

  • The northern region reported 67 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 761 average weekly continuing claims during April 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 12% from the previous month and 6% from the 71 average weekly initial claims filed in April 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the region decreased 39% from March 2026 and 22% from the 978 average weekly claims in April 2025. Weekly volume for statewide initial claims decreased 15% from March 2026 and continuing claims also decreased 31% from April 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • PNGC Power and Kindle Energy have agreed to jointly construct a combined-cycle natural gas power plant in Rathdrum. The construction and design period is estimated to take approximately six years to complete. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Ponderay Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit request by Avista Corporation for development of a six-acre substation on a 22-acre parcel on Bronx Road. The initial construction period is estimated to take 16 months. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality awarded over $40 million to the City of Sandpoint for wastewater infrastructure upgrades along with drinking water system improvements. Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
  • Safariland LLC acquired Alien Gear Holsters for $10.3 million as part of a court-approved bankruptcy auction distributing the assets of Tedder Industries LLC. Court records indicate Alien Gear Holsters employs 108 workers with operations in a 70,000 square foot facility in Post Falls. Source: Spokane Journal of Business

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Idaho’s April unemployment rate remains at 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 22, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate did not change between March and April, remaining at 3.6%.

April’s labor force decreased by 2,350 (-0.2%) people to 1,003,496 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 March and April, down to 62.2%.

Total employment decreased by 2,290 (-0.2%) to 966,979 and unemployment decreased by 60 (-0.2%) to 36,517. Continue reading →

Idaho’s March unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between February and March, from 3.7% to 3.6%.

March’s labor force decreased by 2,286 (-0.2%) people to 1,005,848 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.3 percentage points between February and March, down to 62.4%.

Total employment decreased by 1,921 (-0.2%) to 969,265 and unemployment decreased by 365 (-1.0%) to 36,583. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, April 2026

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

  • The northern region reported 91 average weekly initial unemployment insurance (UI) claims and 1,245 average weekly continuing claims during March 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 32% from the previous month and 48% from the 175 average weekly initial claims filed in March 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the northern region decreased 22% from February 2026 and 30% from the 1,771 average weekly claims in March 2025. Overall, weekly volume for both initial and continuing claims decreased statewide compared to last month and March 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • The Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation completed the acquisition of Silverwood Theme Park. Silverwood is the largest theme park in the northwest and maintains a seasonal workforce of 1,200 employees. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Learn about Idaho’s economy and how income is measured during Labor webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhaur@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Research Analyst Supervisor Sam Wolkenhauer will discuss how income is measured and what those measurements reveal about the ways Idaho is changing during a webinar Tuesday, May 5.

Income is measured in a variety of ways including household income, wages and salary and total personal income. These measures paint a picture about the dynamic changes ongoing in Idaho, including the state’s demographics and economic growth. This webinar will also explore what the income data tells us about Idaho’s urbanization and housing market.

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