Idaho unemployment rate rises slightly from month to month

While the national unemployment rate remained unchanged between April and May of this year, Idaho experienced a slight uptick from 3.6% to 3.7% during the same period, according to recent statistics provided by the Idaho Department of Labor (IDOL).

During the past 12 months, the Gem State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also moved to 3.7%, up from 3.6% in 2025. Statistics show the state’s overall labor force dropped by 0.4%, a loss of just over 4,200 workers, as the number of employed Idahoans also was reduced by 4,600, a 0.5% decline.

On a national scale, the unemployment rate of 4.3% stayed the same between April and May of this year. Across the nation, the total number of unemployed decreased by 66,000, or 0.9% to a total of 7.3 million.

At the same time, IDOL figures show Idaho’s May’s labor forced dropped by 1,200 workers, while the labor force participation rate ― an indicator of the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work ― decreased by 0.2% between April and May, dipping to 62%.

However, three of six Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) experienced over-the-month nonfarm job gains last month. The largest increase was in Twin Falls (0.6%), followed by Coeur d’Alene at 0.4% and Boise registering  gain of 0.3%.

In Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls dropped by 0.4%. Elsewhere in the Gem State, both Lewiston and Pocatello remained unchanged.

Specific industries that experienced job losses in May include Natural Resources (-2.2%), State Government (-1.6%), Information (-1.1%) and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing which dipped 0.8%.