Regional news

Regional labor market information

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

Labor market indicators	Sep-26 (P)	Aug-26 (R)	Sep-25 (B)
Civilian labor force	53,653	52,345	54,397
Total employment	51,610	52,229	52,272
Unemployment	2,043	2,016	2,125
Percentage of labor force unemployed	3.8%	3.7%	3.9%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

• The region’s unemployment rate of 3.8% in September 2026 increased 0.1% compared to August 2026 and decreased 0.1% from September 2025. The region experienced a small decrease in employment over the month while unemployment remained relatively steady. Initial unemployment insurance claims in the region averaged 13 filings per week in September 2026 compared to 16 weekly filings in September 2025.

Figure 2. North central Idaho job postings

Job posting indicators	Sep-26	Sep-25
Unique postings	2,960	2,391
Days posted	27	28
Number of employers	560	588
Average hourly wage	$26.52	$25.29
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	43%	45%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Online job postings  have increased  simultaneously as unemployment claims remain subdued. The median posting duration of 27 days is similar to the 28 days in September 2025 while competition for talent has led to wage increases. Job postings per unemployed person, increased to 1.4 in September 2026 from 1.1 in September 2025.

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

Occupations	Postings, Sep-26	Postings, Sep-25
Registered Nurses	193	149
Retail Salespersons	96	84
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	70	60
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	69	38
Nursing Assistants	63	29
Physical Therapists	56	36
Customer Service Representatives	53	44
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	52	84
Cashiers	42	27
Stockers and Order Fillers	39	24
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Active job listings over the month increased for Retail Salespersons and Stockers and Order Fillers. This growth was offset by small decreases in the number of active postings for Cashiers and Physical Therapists.

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

Industries	Postings, Sep-26	Postings, Sep-25
Healthcare and Social Assistance	409	440
Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services	403	313
Retail Trade	247	239
Educational Services	221	149
Finance and Insurance	159	67
Manufacturing	154	129
Accommodation and Food Services	113	174
Transportation and Warehousing	84	50
Wholesale Trade	65	51
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	58	76
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• The industries of Transportation and Warehousing and Wholesale Trade reported higher active job postings compared to both August 2026 and September 2025. More than half of the active Transportation and Warehousing job postings were freshly listed during the month of September.

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

Occupations	Median duration (days), Sep-26	Unique postings, Sep-26
Cooks, Restaurant	41	26
Driver/Sales Workers	40	32
Physical Therapists	37	56
Medical and Health Services Managers	37	37
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	36	69
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	36	24
Insurance Sales Agents	34	33
Occupational Therapists	33	37
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	33	24
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	33	19
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Broad occupational groups with the highest median duration days included healthcare practitioners, sales roles and food preparation occupations. Many of the hardest-to-fill occupational postings in September 2026 had a median duration that was higher than a year ago in September 2025.

Regional news

• The north central region reported 13 average weekly initial unemployment insurance (UI) claims and 86 average weekly continuing claims during September 2026. Initial claim volume  decreased 13% from the previous month and 19% from the 16 average weekly initial claims filed in September 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in north central during September  decreased 10% from August 2026 and 40% from the 143 average weekly claims in September 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims increased 2% from August 2026 and decreased 11% from September 2025. Statewide continuing claims decreased 14% compared to last month and 15% from September 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor

• The Nimiipuu Community Development Fund was awarded $803,000 by USDA Rural Development to assist with a home purchase for 13 Native American households on rural tribal lands. Source: USDA Rural Development

Idaho County

• Gold producer Agnico Eagle Mines Limited acquired a minority ownership of mineral exploration company Scout Discoveries Corp. for $14.8 million. In return for agreeing to fund up to $60 million in exploration projects over the next eight years, Agnico Eagle may earn up to a 70% interest in Scout’s Elk City Project. Source: Scout Discoveries Corp.

Latah County

• The University of Idaho reported a -0.9% decrease in fall 2026 enrollment to 12,275 students. Undergraduate enrollment decreased by -3.4% and graduate enrollment decreased by -1.3%. Source: University of Idaho

• The University of Idaho held a grand opening event for Vandal Village: Family Housing. Source: University of Idaho

• The City of Deary’s Downtown Revitalization Plan was awarded the 2026 Gem Award by the American Planning Association Idaho Chapter. Source: City of Deary

Nez Perce County

• Fall 2026 enrollment at Lewis-Clark State College decreased 3.4% from record 2025 levels. In-state enrollment decreased by 6%, offset by out-of-state enrollment increasing by 5% and institutional transfers increasing by 8%. The institution is currently serving 22 graduate students. Source: Lewis-Clark State College

• Lewis-Clark State College signed a seven-year extension to continue hosting the Avista NAIA World Series through 2033. Lewiston has hosted the NAIA World Series for the past 26 years. Source: Lewis-Clark State College

• Numerica Credit Union announced plans to open its first Lewiston location in Spring 2027. Source: Numerica Credit Union

• Dailyfly Media sold two of its six radio stations – 1430 AM and 107.3 FM – to Boise-based Salt & Light Radio. Source: Dailyfly Media

Regional openings

• Longhorns Antiques, Grangeville

• Noon on Main restaurant, Cottonwood

• Burlington Stores, Moscow

• Timber Tattoo, Moscow

• Palouse Beauty Aesthetics, Moscow

• Essentials Curated Gifts, Moscow

• CeeCee’s Coffee Shop, Kooskia

Regional closings

• Pierce Gold Rush Saloon, Pierce

• Waha Grill, Lewiston

• Revive Coffee, Grangeville

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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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