Idaho’s unemployment rate increases to 3.7% in July
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased between June and July, from 3.6% to 3.7%.
July’s labor force decreased by 451 people to 1,010,133 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, down to 63.2%.
Total employment decreased by 643 (-0.1%) to 973,241 and unemployment increased by 192 (0.5%) to 36,892.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 2,200 jobs (0.2%) for a total of 883,900 in July. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included administrative, support and waste management services (2.1%); construction (1%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (0.9%); arts, entertainment and recreation (0.6%); private educational services (0.6%) and nondurable goods manufacturing (0.6%).
Industries that experienced job losses in July included information (-1.1%), management of companies and enterprises (-1.1%), durable goods manufacturing (-0.9%), federal government (-0.7%), wholesale trade (-0.3%) and retail trade (-0.1%).
Four of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in July. Twin Falls had the largest increase of 0.6%, followed by Coeur d’Alene (0.5%), Boise (0.3%) and Idaho Falls (0.2%). Pocatello experienced no change, while Lewiston had a decrease of 0.3%.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.7% unemployment rate for July 2025 was the same as in 2024. The labor force grew 0.5% (5,026), as the number of employed Idahoans increased by 5,358 (0.6%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 332 (-0.9%).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1.9% (16,500). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except federal government (-5.5%); wholesale trade (-4.1%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (-1.4%) and retail trade (-0.5%).
All but one of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in July. Coeur d’Alene had the greatest increase at 2.9%, followed by Boise (2.7%), Pocatello (2.2%), Twin Falls (1.8%) and Idaho Falls (1.6%). Lewiston experienced no noticeable change.
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased between June and July, up to 4.2%. The number of unemployed increased by 221,000 (3.2%) to 7.2 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 73,000 to 159.5 million.
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Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:
Sept. 19, 2025 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for August 2025
Oct. 17, 2025 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for September 2025
Find more labor market information at lmi.idaho.gov
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