Idaho’s July unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 21, 2026
Media Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between June and July, from 3.7% to 3.6%.

July's labor force decreased by 1,523 (-0.2%) people to 998,870 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 June and July to 61.6%.

Total employment decreased by 1,007 (-0.1%) to 962,626 and unemployment decreased by 516 (-1.4%) to 36,244.

Idaho's nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 1,200 (0.1%) for a total of 886,800 in July. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included Information (2.3%); Natural Resources (2.2%); Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (1.7%); Finance and Insurance (1.0%); Other Services (1.0%); Local Government (0.8%); Private Educational Services (0.5%) and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (0.5%).

Industries that experienced job decreases in July included Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-1.7%); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-1.4%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-0.6%); Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-0.6%) and Accommodation and Food Services (-0.5%).

Two of Idaho's six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job gains in July. Boise and Coeur d'Alene both saw an increase of 0.1%. Lewiston and Idaho Falls experienced decreases of 0.7% and 0.2%, respectively. Pocatello and Twin Falls experienced no change.

Year over Year

Idaho's 3.6% unemployment rate for July 2026 was the same as in 2025. The labor force declined by 8,416 (-0.8%), as the number of employed Idahoans decreased by 8,277 (-0.9%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 139 (-0.4%).

Total nonfarm jobs increased by 0.5% (4,200). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-11.2%); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-6.5%); Federal Government (-6.3%); State Government (-5.5%); Accommodation and Food Services (-2.4%); Information (-2.2%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-2.2%) and Wholesale Trade (-0.3%).

Three of Idaho's MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in July. Lewiston had the greatest increase at 0.7%, followed by Boise (0.6%) and Coeur d'Alene (0.5%). Idaho Falls and Pocatello both experienced a decrease of 1.5%, while Twin Falls saw a decrease of 1.0%.

National Comparisons

Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between June and July, down to 4.1%. The number of unemployed decreased by 178,000 (-2.5%) to 6.9 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 23,000 to 158.9 million.

-end-

Upcoming Idaho release schedule:

Sept. 18, 2026 - Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for August 2026
Oct. 16, 2026 - Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for September 2026

More Idaho labor market information can be found at lmi.idaho.gov