Regional labor market information
- Labor force estimates for May 2025 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics had total employment and total unemployment decreasing in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, May’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 87 people, with 70 less employed people and 17 less unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.5%, which decreased 0.2% from April 2025 and stayed the same in May 2024.
| Southeastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | May-25 (P) | Apr-25 (R) | May-24 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 87,610 | 87,697 | 86,414 |
| Total employment | 84,578 | 84,648 | 83,269 |
| Unemployment | 3,032 | 3,049 | 3,145 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.5% | 3.7% | 3.5% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
- In May 2025 there were 1,591 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, which increased 9% from the prior month at 1,460 and 5% over the year at 1,510. The median job posting duration was 29 days, which decreased two days from April and increased six days compared to May 2024.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 72 | 80 |
| Retail salespersons | 55 | 89 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 41 | 42 |
| Coaches and scouts | 38 | 5 |
| Customer service representatives | 33 | 37 |
| Teaching assistants, except postsecondary | 32 | 6 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 28 | 6 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 26 | 19 |
| Special education teachers, all other | 25 | 10 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 25 | 39 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho for May were health care, sales and transportation. Among specific occupations, top results included registered nurses (72), retail sales (55) and truck drivers (41). Job postings for coaches and scouts increased to 38 — a notable increase from five postings in 2024.
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 235 | 174 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | 81 | 0 |
| College, universities and professional schools | 63 | 68 |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | 62 | 58 |
| Other general government support | 58 | 81 |
| Supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores | 51 | 40 |
| Engineering services | 40 | 10 |
| Lessors of other real estate property | 30 | 26 |
| Frozen fruit, juice and vegetable manufacturing | 27 | 17 |
| Limited-service restaurants | 27 | 19 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Health care, social assistance, retail, trade and education are at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in May. Education postings ranked higher than manufacturing in postings, which fell to fourth on the list of most unique job postings. The list includes general medical and surgical hospitals, frozen food manufacturing and elementary schools. Elementary and secondary schools also have 81 job postings, compared to last year when there was zero job postings.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southeastern Idaho | Median duration, May-25 | Unique postings, May-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 59 | 3 |
| Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers | 59 | 1 |
| Shipping, receiving and inventory clerks | 58 | 2 |
| First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers | 58 | 1 |
| Slaughteres and meat packers | 58 | 1 |
| Machinists | 57 | 2 |
| Postsecondary teachers | 55 | 8 |
| Medical equipment preparers | 54 | 4 |
| Interpreters and translators | 53 | 3 |
| Adult basic education, adult secondary education and English as a second language instructors | 53 | 1 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Based on the hiring challenges by median number of days an occupational job posting is listed, truck operators (59), mining engineers (59), inventory clerks (58) and groundskeeping supervisors (58) stood out. Of these top hardest-to-fill occupations, none of them were in the top 10 for most in demand. Postsecondary teachers had the most unique postings of the top in demand occupations at eight job postings.
| County housing data, May 2025 | Median listing price | Month over month price change | Median days on the market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bannock | $429,950 | 1.76% | 40 | 293 |
| Bear Lake | $619,000 | 2.48% | 72 | 71 |
| Bingham | $454,900 | 0.53% | 42 | 146 |
| Caribou | $419,900 | 8.08% | 60 | 42 |
| Franklin | $485,000 | -4.43% | 47 | 63 |
| Oneida | $393,750 | 0.20% | 132 | 22 |
| Power | $379,900 | -14.63% | 74 | 23 |
| Source: Realtor.com Economic Research | ||||
- In May, Power County had a notable departure from its increasing price trend with a 15% decrease in listed median price. (Power County is already the lowest cost market in the region). Also during May, Bingham County saw a median price increase of 8% with a relatively sizeable 146 house inventory. Bannock County was the hottest market with a median of 40 days on the market and 293 active listings. The county with the longest median time on the market, was still Oneida County at 132 days, a decrease of 20 days from last month.
Regional news
Bannock County
- A bowling tournament, Rally in the Alley, was held in Pocatello. $7,373 in proceeds was given to the Family Services Alliance of Southeast Idaho which provides support to victims of domestic abuse and exploitation. Source: KPVI News
- The Pocatello City Council held a meeting to discuss a proposed South Fifth Avenue Area Wide Plan. This plan uses U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds to invest in the region. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Demolition of parts of the Pine Ridge Mall began as a part of the process to convert it into an open-air shopping plaza. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello’s Gateway Transitional Care Center is undergoing a remodel for the addition of a vent and trach unit for those recovering from respiratory illness. This will be the first facility of its kind in the region. Source: KIFI News
- Aid For Friends Shelter in Pocatello hosted their “Splish and Splash” fundraiser. The event partnered with Ross Park Aquatic Complex to raise money to keep their homeless shelter stocked and operational. The event aimed to raise $15,000 in donations. Source: KIFI News
- Pocatello based SnapTight Products LLC has been invited to showcase their insulation products on the television show “Designing Spaces.” The program explores interior design and remodeling. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Construction began for a new bar and restaurant in Lava Hot Springs called Carol Cove. Source: KPVI News
- Connections Credit Union implemented a mobile branch to better serve rural parts of southeast Idaho. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Greenacres Elementary School in Pocatello began construction for the East Oak Street Child Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project. This project was financed through a $250,000 grant from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council appointed by the Idaho Legislature. Improvements include new asphalt in the parking lot, new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, bulb-outs, curb ramps and driveway access points. Source: East Idaho News
- Valley Oil Company in Downey changed ownership as Terry and Michelle Jones retired after 41 years. Source East Idaho News
- Budget Furniture, a new furniture warehouse store, opened in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bear Lake County
- Bear Lake High School opened a new medical career course to introduce students to a variety of medical professions. The class has a schedule of two days in class and two days job shadowing at institutions like Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. Source: The News Examiner
- Tandoori Bistro opened in St. Charles, serving Indian Chinese fusion dishes. Source: The News Examiner
Bingham County
- Governor Brad Little visited the City of Shelley for the “Capital for a Day” event. Source: KPVI News
- Blackfoot’s Jensen Grove Lake was at a 25-year water level low. Source: Idaho State Journal
Caribou County
- Friends of the Soda Springs Park held a ceremony for the donors to the Maverik Caribou CommUNITY Playground. Donations amounting to $45,000 were raised by businesses and individuals to finance new shade covers for the playground equipment. The new shades will enhance the usability of park play equipment by shielding children from sun-related injuries, such as hot slides. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Caribou Kids, a new day care, opened in Soda Springs. Caribou Medical Center backed the venture in an effort to alleviate the child care needs of their own employees and the broader community. Source: Idaho State Journal
Franklin County
- The City of Preston has hired Brian Moss as the new class IV wastewater treatment operator at the Preston wastewater treatment plant. The plant is a level IV plant, meaning its complexity requires a level IV operator to run it as regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Source: The Preston Citizen
Onedia County
- The Legrande Aqua Plunge began its 2025 season with new dressing room stalls, lighting, wall panels and a new pergola. The structure was donated by BC Timbers and Hess Lumber and the other improvements were obtained through a grant from the Idaho Community Foundation. Source: The Idaho Enterprise
Power County
- A budget increase for the American Falls Rural Fire Department narrowly passed by a single vote. This initiative increased its levying capacity by $200,000. Source: KIFI News
- Bingham Ag Services donated $7,300 in food to the Willow Bay Food Bank. The food bank serves 200 families every month. Source: KIFI News
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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