Regional news

Regional labor market information

Figure 1. Northern Idaho labor market indicators (seasonally adjusted data)

Labor market indicators	Sep-26 (P)	Aug-26 (R)	Sep-25 (B)
Civilian labor force	127,501	126,762	129,136
Total employment	121,588	120,978	123,032
Unemployment	5,913	5,748	6,104
Percentage of labor force unemployed	4.64%	4.56%	4.73%
Source: Idaho Department of Labor	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

• All five counties in the northern region experienced similar unemployment rates from August 2026 to September 2026, except for Shoshone County which saw an increase in the unemployment rate by 0.4%. The September 2026 regional unemployment rate (4.64%) remained lower than the 4.73% recorded in September 2025.

Figure 2. Northern Idaho job postings

Job posting indicators	Sep-26	Sep-25
Unique postings	5,404	4,399
Days posted	31	29
Number of employers	1,181	1,023
Average hourly wage	$22.95	$22.00
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	49%	51%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• The northern region had approximately 81 more job postings listed during September 2026 compared to August 2026. The region had over 1,000 additional new job postings compared to September 2025. During September 2026, job postings had a duration of 31 days compared to 29 days in September 2025. Online job postings showed signs of being active for a little longer before being filled or removed when compared to this same period last year.

Figure 3. Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho

Occupations	Postings, Sep-26	Postings, Sep-25
Registered Nurses	227	186
Retail Salespersons	216	158
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	172	156
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	157	63
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	121	82
Nursing Assistants	106	69
Customer Service Representatives	94	94
Medical and Health Services Managers	90	66
Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers, Hand	78	68
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	69	33
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Northern Idaho’s September postings indicate steady demand across core sectors, with healthcare remaining the largest driver of activity. Practitioner roles such as Registered Nurses, Nursing Assistants, as well as Home Health and Personal Care Aides posted year‑over‑year gains. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics postings showed some of the most significant growth, both more than doubling from last September. Retail‑related postings showed steady growth, with increases in Retail Salespersons and First‑Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers, while Customer Service Representatives experienced no change from last year.

Figure 4. Top 10 industries by unique job postings in northern Idaho

Industries	Postings, Sep-26	Postings, Sep-25
Healthcare and Social Assistance	886	762
Retail Trade	599	537
Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services	408	385
Accommodation and Food Services	334	355
Manufacturing	210	200
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	190	216
Finance and Insurance	185	140
Wholesale Trade	163	154
Construction	129	108
Other Services (except Public Administration)	123	98
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• September 2026 recorded higher volumes of new job postings across most industries. However, Accommodation and Food Services, as well as Professional, Scientific and Technical Services experienced decreases in posting activity compared to the same period last year.

Figure 5. Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho

Occupations	Median duration (days), Sep-26	Unique postings, Sep-26
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	41	69
Educational, Guidance, Career Counselors and Advisors	37	25
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	36	34
Fast Food and Counter Workers	35	62
Stockers and Order Fillers	35	59
Production Workers, All Other	34	57
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	33	172
Food Service Managers	33	59
Waiters and Waitresses	33	45
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	33	44
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• The most difficult positions to fill by job posting duration were within Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (at 41 days) and Educational, Guidance, Career Counselors and Advisors (at 37 days).

Regional news

• Unemployment insurance (UI) weekly claims: The northern region reported an average of 69 weekly initial UI claims and 347 weekly continuing claims in September 2026. Initial claim volume increased 38.1% from the previous month and 6.2% from September 2025. However, continuing claim volume decreased 15.3% from September 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims increased 1.8% from August 2026 and decreased 10.7% from September 2025. Statewide weekly continuing claims decreased 13.5% from the previous month and 15.1% from September 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor

Bonner County

• Sandpoint City Council voted to proceed with the City Beach RV Park reconstruction project. The project will include new utility infrastructure, improved traffic circulation and site enhancements — such as landscaping. Construction is expected to begin in early winter 2026 and be completed in time for the 2027 summer season. Source: Sandpoint Reader

• The Sandpoint City Council approved agreements advancing the planned reconstruction of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project includes an estimated $60 million first phase, with total costs potentially reaching $130 million. The city selected Stantec Consulting Services Inc. as the owner’s representative and will begin project planning, engineering coordination, budgeting and procurement activities. Source: Sandpoint Reader

• Bonner General Health expanded its family practice services with the addition of a new board‑certified family medicine physician. Source: Sandpoint Reader

Boundary County

• The superintendent of Boundary County School District 101 reported to the Board of Trustees that enrollment has exceeded projections. Districtwide enrollment was approximately 70 students higher than projected. It was noted that the increase does not justify the addition of another teacher; however, district resources may need to be adjusted. The superintendent also reported that construction of the new Valley View Elementary School remains on schedule. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald

Kootenai County

• Dalton Gardens received a $989,000 Aging Infrastructure Grant from the Idaho Water Resource Board to support a pump station and mainline replacement projects in the area. This is the third grant awarded, bringing the total to $3.77 million. In addition to improvements to the pumphouse and transmission mainline, the funding will be used to install new pumps, valves, motors and controls. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

• StanCraft announced Red Lion Hotel Templin’s on the River will temporarily close while the company evaluates whether the property will undergo renovation or redevelopment. Marina 33 will remain open and fully operational during the hotel’s closure. StanCraft also announced plans to expand amenities at Marina 33, including boat and water sports rentals, a fixed‑pier boardwalk, a public side‑tie dock, day‑use boat parking and additional slip rentals. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

• A new Post Falls community celebrated the completion of an affordable housing project. The approximately $6.5 million starter‑home development was funded through a public‑private partnership that resulted in the construction of 28 shared‑equity homes on a 4.7‑acre site in Post Falls. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

• Construction began on a new $3.5 million hangar at the StanCraft Jet Center. The facility will serve as the jet center’s second hangar and will encompass 21,600 square feet, including a 750‑square‑foot office and a 700‑square‑foot garage. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. Source: Spokane Journal of Business

• Construction is underway on a new $9 million, 30,500-square-foot multicourt gymnasium at Christian Center School in Hayden. The facility will feature a double-court configuration, fitness and training areas, locker rooms and a multipurpose commons area. Once completed, the facility will accommodate up to 800 attendees for games, tournaments and community events. Source: Spokane Journal of Business

• Scout Discoveries Corp., a Coeur d’Alene-based mineral exploration company, secured a $25 million private placement led by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and The Electrum Group. The agreement includes the potential for up to $90 million in exploration expenditures at the company’s Elk City and Muldoon projects over the next eight years, with approximately $9.4 million in exploration activities planned through 2027. The investment is expected to support ongoing drilling and mineral exploration activities. Source: Scout Discoveries Corp.

Shoshone County

• Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining is expanding its operational reach through the acquisition of approximately 14,100 additional acres in eastern Shoshone County. According to company officials, the combination of expanded land holdings and ongoing redevelopment of the Sunshine Mine positions the company to pursue short‑term production and sustain long‑term exploration activities. Sunshine Silver has identified late 2028 as its target for returning to production. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

• Maintenance and remediation activities are underway at a 13.5‑acre former gypsum repository located between Kellogg and Smelterville following the identification of deficiencies in the site’s cover system. Contaminated material will remain on site; however, improvements to the drainage and cap systems will be completed as part of the remediation effort. Source: Shoshone News-Press

Regional openings

• Patriots Bar – Coeur d’Alene

• Immersive Studio CDA – Coeur d’Alene

• Blast Zone – Sandpoint

• Capstone Accounting & Tax – Sandpoint

• Eden Physical Therapy & Performance – Coeur d’Alene

• Penny’s Pit Gourmet Burgers – Rathdrum

• Bare Root Apothecary – Rathdrum

• Connected Family Chiropractic – Coeur d’Alene

Regional closings

• Red Lion Hotel Templin’s on the River – Post Falls

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This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY27 as part of the Workforce Information grant (55%) and state/nonfederal funds (45%) totaling $649,127.

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