Regional labor market information
- Labor demand in northern Idaho declined in November 2024, with a total of 1,331 unique job postings in the region – a decrease from 1,846. This decline (roughly a 28% decrease in postings) is consistent with past seasonal trends. In 2023, postings declined from 1,707 in October to 1,340 in November. The unemployment rate decreased slightly from 4.8% to 4.7% but remains higher than November 2023. Both total labor force and total employment remain above their 2023 levels.
| Northern Idaho seasonally adjusted data | Nov-24 (P) | Oct-24 (R) | Nov-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 129,282 | 129,120 | 127,809 |
| Total employment | 123,202 | 122,879 | 122,705 |
| Unemployment | 6,080 | 6,241 | 5,104 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 4.7% | 4.8% | 4.0% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, Nov-24 | Postings, Nov-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 74 | 52 |
| Laborers, freight and material movers | 38 | 25 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 35 | 20 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 35 | 40 |
| First line supervisors of retail sales workers | 35 | 29 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 27 | 23 |
| Retail salespersons | 25 | 49 |
| Medical and health services managers | 24 | 30 |
| Food services managers | 23 | 17 |
| Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing | 23 | 14 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, Nov-24 | Postings, Nov-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 201 | 221 |
| Retail trade | 155 | 183 |
| Administrative and support services | 152 | 112 |
| Accommodation and food services | 67 | 111 |
| Finance and insurance | 56 | 89 |
| Manufacturing | 50 | 56 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 50 | 62 |
| Construction | 46 | 34 |
| Wholesale trade | 33 | 34 |
| Educational services | 32 | 33 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho | Median duration, Nov-24 | Median duration, Nov-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, ski patrol and other recreational protective services | 29 | N/A |
| Unclassified occupations | 27 | N/A |
| Nurse practitioners | 27 | N/A |
| Community and social service specialists, all other | 27 | N/A |
| Computer systems analysts | 27 | N/A |
| Home appliance repairers | 27 | N/A |
| Editors | 27 | N/A |
| Coaches and scouts | 26 | N/A |
| Home health and personal care aides | 25 | N/A |
| Telemarketers | 24 | N/A |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Regional news
Bonnor County
- An application for a large industrial facility in northern Sandpoint is under review by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Although the operator of the proposed facility has not been announced yet, the traffic impact study for the project indicates a 25,500 square foot facility which would employ roughly 150 people. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Kootenai County
- Construction is underway on a new food truck and restaurant court in Post Falls. Named Eats on Spokane Street, the facility will feature a 1,500 square foot bar and restaurant with outdoor spaces for seven food trucks. Confirmed tenants so far include MelFit Healthy Kitchen, Nachos Cantina and a Charcuteria food truck. Construction on the $1.2 million project has begun and the space is expected to open in the spring of 2025. Source: Journal of Business
- A large new commercial center is being built on Highway 41 in northern Post Falls. The Early Dawn Commercial Center will include three separate buildings that are 12,000 square feet each, with space for five or six commercial suites per structure. The facility is expected to open in April. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- North Idaho College is finalizing plans to cut its athletics budget by about $1.8 million over the next two years. College leadership began examining options for reducing the athletics budget after it increased sharply over the last two school years, from $2.2 million to $6.2 million. The current proposal entails reducing funding for tuition, fees, and housing for student athletes, as well as eliminating the golf program. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Openings
- Lanai (Coeur d’Alene)
- Rose Restorative (Post Falls)
- Boiada Brazilian Grill (Coeur d’Alene)
- Oval Office Restaurant (Re-opening in Coeur d’Alene)
- Lash & Locks Girl Studio (Coeur d’Alene)
- Albatross Golf Experience (Coeur d’Alene)
- Squad9 (Post Falls)
- REVV Health (Coeur d’Alene)
- Earth Fairy Holistics (Coeur d’Alene)
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
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