BOISE, ID – Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between April and May, from 3.7% to 3.6%.
According to the Idaho Department of Labor, May’s labor force decreased by 875 people (-0.1%) to 1,011,244 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.1 percentage point between April and May, down to 63.5%.
Total employment decreased by 398 to 974,419 as unemployment decreased by 477 (-1.3%) to 36,825.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 2,500 jobs (0.3%) for a total of 883,400 in May. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included other services (2.6%); construction (1.7%); arts, entertainment and recreation (1.2%); information (1.1%); finance and insurance (1%); wholesale trade (0.9%); real estate and rental and leasing (0.8%); local government (0.7%); non-durable goods manufacturing (0.6%); accommodations and food services (0.5%); and professional, scientific and technical services (0.5%).
Industries that experienced job losses in May included state government (-6.7%); federal government (-1.4%); durable goods manufacturing (-0.4%); and transportation, warehousing and utilities (-0.3%).
Four of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in May. Pocatello saw the largest increase of 1.2%, followed by Idaho Falls (0.4%), Boise (0.3%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.1%). Lewiston and Twin Falls experienced no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.6% unemployment rate for May 2025 was the same as it was in 2024. The labor force grew 1.1% (11,245), as did the number of employed Idahoans (10,535). The number of unemployed Idahoans increased 2% (710).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 2.6% (22,400). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except administrative, support, and waste management services (-4.3%); state government (-3.6%); wholesale trade (-2.8%) and federal government (-1.4%).
All but one of Idaho’s MSAs saw year-over-year nonfarm job gains in May. Pocatello had the greatest increase at 4%, followed by Coeur d’Alene (3.5%), Boise (3%), Twin Falls (3%) and Idaho Falls (2.1%). Lewiston experienced no change.
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged between April and May, remaining at 4.2%. The number of unemployed increased by 71,000 (1%) to 7.2 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 139,000 (0.1%) to 159.6 million.
