Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6% in September, up from 3.5% in August.
The state’s labor force increased by 4,019 people (0.4%) to 989,744 while the labor force participation rate — the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work — increased from 63.1% to 63.2% between August and September.
Total employment increased by 3,184 (0.3%) to 953,973 as unemployment increased by 835 (2.4%) to 35,771.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 5,800 (0.7%) to 879,200 – the largest percentage change among all states. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month increases included real estate, rental, and leasing (2.6%); state government (2.6%); natural resources (2.5%); private educational services (1.6%); durable goods manufacturing (1.3%); wholesale trade (1.3%); accommodation and food services (1.2%); professional and business services (1.2%); financial and insurance (1%); federal government (0.7%) and construction (0.6%).
Industries that experienced job losses in September included arts, entertainment, and recreation (-1.1%); information (-1.1%) and other services (-0.8%).
Three of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in July. Idaho Falls experienced the largest increase at 0.4%, followed by Boise (0.3%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.1%). Pocatello and Twin Falls experienced decreases of 2.4% and 0.4%, respectively. Lewiston was unchanged in September.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.6% unemployment rate for September 2024 was up from 3.3% the prior year. The labor force was up 2.4%, an increase of 22,901 people.
The number of unemployed Idahoans increased 12.1% (3,865) while the total number of employed increased 2% (19,036).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 3.4% (29,200). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except information (-6.4%); other services (-5.4%); natural resources (-2.4%); accommodation and food services (-1.9%); retail trade (-0.9%); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-0.6%); and finance and insurance (-0.3%).
All of Idaho’s MSAs saw year-over-year nonfarm job gains in September. Boise had the greatest increase at 3.8%, followed by Idaho Falls (3.2%), Lewiston (2.7%), Pocatello (1.8%), Coeur d’Alene (1.3%) and Twin Falls (0.8%).
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between August and September, down to 4.1% from 4.2%. The number of unemployed decreased by 281,000 to 6.8 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 254,000 (0.2%) to 159.1 million.
