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.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net decrease of 2,400 (-0.3%) for a total of 879,700 in January. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month losses included Construction (-4.4%); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-4.1%); Federal Government (-2.2%); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-1.2%) and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (-0.9%).
Industries that experienced job increases in January included Accommodation and Food Services (2.1%); Private Educational Services (1.1%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (0.9%); State Government (0.9%) and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (0.6%).
Four of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job losses in January. Lewiston saw the largest decrease at 1.0%, followed by Coeur d’Alene (-0.4%), Pocatello (-0.2%) and Idaho Falls (-0.1%). Boise and Twin Falls experienced no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.7% unemployment rate for January 2026 was the same as in 2025. The labor force grew 0.5% (4,558), as the number of employed Idahoans increased by 4,270 (0.4%). The number of unemployed Idahoans increased by 288 (0.8%).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 0.8% (7,000). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-9.6%); Federal Government (-6.2%); Wholesale Trade (-3.8%); State Government (-2.4%); Information (-2.2%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-0.9%) and Accommodation and Food Services (-0.1%).
Three of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in January. Twin Falls had the greatest increase at 1.4%, followed by Boise (0.7%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.3%). Pocatello and Lewiston experienced decreases of 2.0% and 1.3%, respectively. Idaho Falls saw no change.
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between December and January, down to 4.3%. The number of unemployed decreased by 135,000 (-1.8%) to 7.3 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 126,000 (0.1%) to 158.6 million.
