Idaho’s May unemployment rate increases to 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2026
Media Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

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.

Idaho's nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 3,100 (0.4%) for a total of 886,900 in May. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included Construction (2.6%); Private Educational Services (1.7%); Management of Companies and Enterprises (1.1%); Wholesale Trade (1.1%); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (0.7%); Federal Government (0.7%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (0.6%) and Local Government (0.5%).

Industries that experienced job decreases in May included Natural Resources (-2.2%), State Government (-1.6%), Information (-1.1%) and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (-0.8%).

Three of Idaho's six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job gains in May. Twin Falls saw the largest increase at 0.6%, followed by Coeur d'Alene and Boise with 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Idaho Falls had a decrease of 0.4%, while Lewiston and Pocatello experienced no change.

Year over Year

Idaho's 3.7% unemployment rate for May 2026 was up from 3.6% in 2025. The labor force declined by 0.4% (-4,281), as the number of employed Idahoans decreased by 4,639 (-0.5%). The number of unemployed Idahoans increased by 358 (1.0%).

Total nonfarm jobs increased by 0.8% (7,300). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-9.9%); Federal Government (-5.6%); State Government (-5.3%); Information (-2.2%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-1.9%); Accommodation and Food Services (-1.4%); Wholesale Trade (-1.4%) and Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-1.0%).

Three of Idaho's MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in May. Twin Falls had the greatest increase at 1.4%, followed by Coeur d'Alene (0.9%) and Boise (0.6%). Pocatello experienced a decrease of 1.5%, while Idaho Falls saw decreases of 1.1%. Lewiston experienced no change.

National Comparisons

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged between April and May, remaining at 4.3%. The number of unemployed decreased by 66,000 (-0.9%) to 7.3 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 (0.1%) to 159 million.

P - preliminary data
R - revised data

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Upcoming Idaho release schedule:

July 17, 2026 - Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for June 2026
August 21, 2026 - Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for July 2026

Hear insights on May's unemployment data by visiting the Idaho Department of Labor's YouTube page. More Idaho labor market information can be found at lmi.idaho.gov.