Idaho’s unemployment rate held steady in May at 2.8 percent – the 18th consecutive month at or below the 3 percent mark.
The Gem State’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – remained at 63.8 percent for the sixth consecutive month, as job growth continued to match the increase of people seeking work.
Idaho nonfarm jobs increased by 2,200 from April to May, led by professional and business services; manufacturing; and education and health services. Leisure and hospitality; and trade, transportation, and utilities also showed monthly gains.
The information sector was the only one to experience an over-the-month decrease, while employment levels in the remaining five industry sectors remained unchanged from April.
Nationally the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6 percent in May. (Idaho Department of Labor)
