Idaho’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.1 Percent

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho’s unemployment rate for June fell to 3.1 percent, while the national unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent.

June’s unemployment drop is the result of more than 2,000 Idahoans exiting the workforce or ending their work search, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. Total employment dropped by nearly 700 while the total number of unemployed fell by almost 1,300.

Nationally, the unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent — up from May — as the country’s labor force increased by 0.2 percent and the participation rate rose slightly to 62.8 percent.

Month-over-month, June estimates show Idaho’s total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by one-tenth of a percent, up 400 to 709,200. Five of the state’s 11 industry sectors showed job declines including natural resources, manufacturing, financial activities, other services and trade, transportation and utilities.

Five sectors showed job gains. Construction jobs increased by 600, government by 500, professional and business services by 400, information by 200, and education and health services by 200. Leisure and hospitality was unchanged from May.

The state’s nonfarm jobs continue to grow, with payroll jobs being up 2.2 percent with a net gain of 15,200 jobs. Nearly 5,200 of June’s 24,200 online job postings are classified by department analysts as hard-to-fill.

Visit this IDL webpage to see the full report.