Regional news

Regional labor market information

Figure 1.

Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data	Apr-26 (P)	Mar-26 (R)	Apr-25 (B)
Civilian labor force	133,045	133,185	135,165
Total employment	128,488	129,035	130,791
Unemployment	4,557	4,150	4,374
Percentage of labor force unemployed	3.4%	3.1%	3.2%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

• Labor force estimates for April 2026 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have total over-the-month employment decreasing and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, April preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 140 people, with 547 fewer employed people and 407 additional unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region increased to 3.4% over the month and 0.2 percentage points greater than April 2025.

Figure 2.

Eastern Idaho job postings	Apr-26	Apr-25
Unique postings	4,200	3,165
Days posted	21	25
Number of employers	1,031	613
Average hourly wage	$23.11	$29.60
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	40%	39%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• There were an estimated 4,200 deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for April 2026 (regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data). The number of postings is a 3% decrease from 4,332 the prior month and a 33% increase from 3,165 year over year.

Figure 3.

Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho	Postings, Apr-26	Postings, Apr-25
Registered Nurses	169	100
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	161	138
Retail Salespersons	152	108
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	80	67
Stockers and Order Fillers	74	35
Customer Service Representatives	68	83
Laborers and Freight, Stock and Movers, Hand	62	44
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	58	19
Project Management Specialists	52	36
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	52	53
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Radiologic Technologists and Technicians and Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers replaced Fast Food and Counter Workers and Maintenance and Repair Workers, General in the top 10 regional occupations by unique job postings for April. Employer hiring demand (based on quantity of job postings) increased over the month in occupations such as Registered Nurses by 46%; Laborers and Freight Stock and Movers, Hand by 17%; Stockers and Order Fillers by 14% and Retail Salespersons by 6%. Employer hiring demand decreased for Customer Service Representatives by 12%.

Figure 4.

Top 10 industries by unique job postings in eastern Idaho	Postings, Apr-26	Postings, Apr-25
Healthcare and Social Assistance	568	364
Retail Trade	450	396
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	409	280
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	319	333
Manufacturing	266	290
Construction	223	156
Wholesale Trade	187	175
Accommodation and Food Services	174	79
Finance and Insurance	152	96
Educational Services	148	298
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• The top five regional industries in April by quantity of job postings remained unchanged over the month. Hiring demand based on total unique job postings increased 19% in Healthcare and Social Assistance; 14% in Educational Services and 4% in Wholesale Trade. There was a decrease by 19% in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; 13% in Accommodation and Food Services; 12% in Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services and 9% in Construction industries. 

Figure 5.

Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho	Median duration (days), Apr-26	Unique postings, Apr-26
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers	55	23
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	34	21
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	33	46
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse	32	34
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	31	38
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	30	20
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	29	21
Retail Salespersons	28	152
Driver/Sales Workers	28	44
Fast Food and Counter Workers	27	43
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Hardest-to-fill occupations in the eastern Idaho region for April (by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings) included Retail Salespersons; Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products; and Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers.  

• Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in April by occupational family were Sales and Related occupations. All occupations added to the hardest-to-fill jobs list in April were new, except Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse.

Regional news

• The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) in Idaho Falls, Idaho’s newest community college, held commencement for the largest graduating class in its nine-year history. A total of 626 students received associates degrees, technical certificates, apprenticeships and workforce training credentials. Source: CEI

• The Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Launch Pad (NELP) program was unveiled at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). NELP will support advanced nuclear technology developers — Deployable Energy, General Matter, NuCube Energy (in partnership with Idaho State University) and Radiant Nuclear — with demonstration projects and fuel cycle work at INL. It is aimed to foster regional workforce development and provide new opportunities for local students and researchers as the lab becomes a hub for testing and deploying next-generation nuclear reactors. Source: POWER Magazine

• To help modernize America’s aging irrigation canal infrastructure, Idaho National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed IrrigationViz, an online tool funded by the Department of Energy. IrrigationViz helps irrigation districts of all sizes explore upgrades — like canal lining, piping or adding hydropower and solar projects — by estimating costs, savings and energy potential. The tool addresses planning hurdles, provides mapping capabilities and helps users prioritize projects to save water and generate revenue. Source: Idaho National Laboratory

• The Altura Community Consulting & Business Finance Center in Rexburg was awarded a $500,000 grant to supplement costs of a $6.5 million building that will be constructed next to their location. The facility will serve as a low-cost hub for new and developing Rexburg businesses. Altura assists businesses in nine counties secure and manage grants as an economic development agency. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

• Over the past year, most eastern Idaho counties saw declining median home prices, signaling softer demand, while Teton, Jefferson and Fremont had price increases likely due to scarce or high-end inventory. Days on the market generally fell, pointing to stronger buyer activity or more realistic pricing. Inventory grew in Madison and Fremont, typical for spring, while low supply in Jefferson and Lemhi kept prices elevated. Pending home sales were mixed, suggesting uneven buyer momentum. Overall, the region is showing signs of stabilization and rebalancing between buyers and sellers. Source: Realtor.com Inventory Core Metrics

Bonneville County

• Bonneville Joint School District 93 passed a levy to fund $2.5 million annually for support staff, $990,000 for teachers and counselors and $1.2 million for full-day kindergarten. The levy also funds $950,000 for classroom supplies, extracurriculars, music and physical education. Source: Idaho Education News

• In Idaho Falls, the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts’ $4.4 million renovation and expansion project was completed. Source: KIFI

• Visionary Homes, a major Utah homebuilder majority-owned by Japan’s Misawa Homes, entered the Idaho Falls market with the opening of Fairway Estates. The first phase is 33 lots with homes starting as low as $500,000. Source: Post Register

• Viking Veterinary Hospital in Idaho Falls is expanding to a new 6,000 square foot facility. Source: Post Register

• The Yellowstone Food Village, which houses several food truck vendors in Idaho Falls, must vacate by Oct. 1 as the site prepares to close. The closure is part of a county decision to end the lease for the adjacent Idaho Innovation Center, citing a shift in economic development priorities. Some vendors have already moved and the remaining are looking for new sites. The county has not specified future plans for the property. Source: KIFI

• The city of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Rotary Club held a ribbon cutting for the completion of the new 10-acre Heritage Park facilities along the Snake River Greenbelt. The Rotary Club has contributed over $800,000 toward park improvements the past eight years. Source: City of Idaho Falls

• A new city park, Meppen Park, is opening in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News

Butte County

• Mackay School District passed a $200,000 two-year levy funding athletics at $50,000 per year, with remaining funds for classroom supplies, classified staff salaries and utilities. Source: Idaho Education News

Fremont County

• On the Ball Homes, Inc. presented a proposal to county planning and zoning for a 13-acre development with 16 lots in Island Park. For affordable worker housing in the resort town, the developer included a proposal for smaller 600 square feet homes for $100,000 each. Approval is pending. Source: East Idaho News

Jefferson County

• Ririe School District passed a $1 million, two-year levy, allocating $222,000 per year for staff salaries and benefits and $110,000 annually for a school resource officer. Remaining funds will cover a new bus, maintenance and curriculum. Source: Idaho Education News

• County Commissioners approved development of the Red Fox subdivision in Rigby. Source: Jefferson Star

Lemhi County

• Idaho’s newest state park, the 670-acre Twin Peaks Ranch State Park, is now open. It’s located near the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness & Historic Twin Peaks Mine. Amenities include 25 full-service cabins, a lodge and restaurant. It also offers a disc golf course, rodeo arena and equestrian center. Source: East Idaho News 

Madison County

• Madison School District #321 passed a $3.9 million, two-year levy with $995,000 per year allocated for staff salaries and benefits, safety, technology, curriculum and transportation. Source: Idaho Education News

• Intermountain Health and Madisonhealth in Rexburg began Intermountain Flight & Ambulance Services with a new air medical helicopter, base and aircraft team. Source: Madisonhealth

Teton County

• The Driggs Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend the 180-unit Corona Valley subdivision. The plan includes townhomes, single-family homes, parks and workforce housing. Source: Teton Valley News

• The Community Foundation of Teton Valley awarded $85,000 to 17 local nonprofits. The 2026 Competitive Grant Program addresses critical community needs, including emergency financial assistance, childcare access, recreation and senior transportation. Source: Teton Valley News

• Teton County commissioners approved an ordinance allowing drive-in theaters, clearing the way for the Spud Drive-In to rebuild with new safety and zoning standards. Spud’s owners will now seek a special use permit, hoping to reopen as early as summer 2027, with plans for additional amenities like a restaurant and rentals. Source: Teton Valley News

• Victor City council approved a $2 million land purchase for a new wastewater plant. Source: Teton Valley News

• Downtown Driggs Association (DDA) has achieved national recognition as a Main Street America Accredited™ community. DDA leads in over 30 free arts and cultural programs annually, supporting local businesses, enhancing public spaces and managing the Teton Valley Welcome Center. It is one of only two communities in Idaho and 820 in America to receive accreditation. Source: Teton Valley News

• Tetonia City Council advanced a code amendment to officially permit food truck courts, requiring a conditional use permit for year-round operation. Source: Teton Valley News

• National Parks Baseball is opening an all-inclusive youth tournament facility in Teton Valley in summer 2027. The complex will have seven ball fields, with phased expansion to 20 fields across 191 acres. Source: National Parks Baseball Resort

Regional openings

• Milex Complete Auto Care by Mr. Transmission auto repair shop opened in Idaho Falls.

• La Golosa Mexican Snacks opened in Idaho Falls.

• Black Tie Car Wash, also a detailing center, opened in Idaho Falls.

• Wandermind, a new retail shop and community space, opened in Idaho Falls.

• Casa Café, a Mexican-inspired coffee shop, opened in Idaho Falls.

• A new Pick Me Up Drinks shop opened in Rexburg, making it the 11th location in eastern Idaho.

• The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings at Floor Coverings International of South Idaho, Signature Events, Activated Insights and JM Mechanical. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location.

• Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings for the following new establishments: Rexburg Free Clinic, Madisonhealth Helipad and The Bakers Dozen.  

Regional closings

• Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls has gone out of business. It’s unclear if or when the property will be assumed by new ownership.

• Trofi and Flying Goose lounge, a restaurant and bar independently owned inside Shilo Inn, are also closed for the time being.

• Modern Mindbody Massage + Float clinic in Ammon is permanently closing after five years.

• Brady’s, a spa and game room products retailer in Idaho Falls, is permanently closing after 61 years.

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This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY26 as part of the Workforce Information grant (41%) and state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595.

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