Idaho’s September unemployment rate remains at 3.6%
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between August and September, staying at 3.6%.
September’s labor force decreased by 508 (-0.1%) people to 997,822 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 August and September to 61.4%.
Total employment decreased by 585 (-0.1%) to 961,587 and unemployment increased by 77 (0.2%) to 36,235.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs had a net increase of 700 (0.1%) for a total of 890,100 in September. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains included Natural Resources (2.2%); Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (1.6%); Finance and Insurance (1.3%); Other Services (1.0%); Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (0.9%); Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (0.8%) and Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (0.6%).
Industries that experienced job decreases in September included Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-1.1%); Accommodation and Food Services (-0.8%); Wholesale Trade (-0.8%); Durable Goods Manufacturing (-0.7%); Local Government (-0.7%) and State Government (-0.3%).
Three of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job gains in September. Coeur d’Alene saw the largest increase at 0.4%, followed by Pocatello (0.2%) and Idaho Falls (0.1%). Lewiston experienced a decrease of 0.7%, while Twin Falls and Boise saw decreases of 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.6% unemployment rate for September 2026 was the same as in 2025. The labor force declined by 11,107 (-1.1%), as the number of employed Idahoans decreased by 10,684 (-1.1%). The number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 423 (-1.2%).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1.0% (8,900). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-8.2%); Federal Government (-7.7%); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-6.3%); State Government (-3.4%); Information (-2.2%); Nondurable Goods Manufacturing (-0.9%); Accommodation and Food Services (-0.3%); Wholesale Trade (-0.3%) and Local Government (-0.2%).
Two of Idaho’s MSAs had year-over-year nonfarm job gains in September. Coeur d’Alene had an increase of 1.7%, while Boise saw an increase of 0.5%. Idaho Falls experienced the greatest decrease at 1.7%, followed by Twin Falls (-1.3%), Pocatello (-1.0%) and Lewiston (-0.7%).
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased between August and September, up to 4.2%. The number of unemployed increased by 78,000 (1.1%) to 7.1 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000 to 159 million.
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Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:
Nov. 20, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for October 2026
Dec. 18, 2026 – Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for November 2026
Find more labor market information at lmi.idaho.gov
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