Regional labor market information
Figure 1.| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in north central Idaho | Postings, Jul-25 | Postings, Jul-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 115 | 84 |
| Retail salespersons | 88 | 105 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 81 | 37 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 58 | 54 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 52 | 28 |
| Customer service representatives | 47 | 31 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 42 | 22 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 40 | 17 |
| Medical and health service managers | 39 | 40 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive | 33 | 19 |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked |
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in north central Idaho | Postings, Jul-25 | Postings, Jul-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Home health and social assistance | 431 | 377 |
| Retail trade | 292 | 246 |
| Educational services | 193 | 323 |
| Accommodation and food services | 156 | 51 |
| Finance and insurance | 117 | 131 |
| Manufacturing | 95 | 112 |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 70 | 19 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 69 | 30 |
| Wholesale trade | 64 | 44 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 59 | 43 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in north central Idaho | Days to fill, Jul-25 | Days to fill, Jul-24 |
|---|---|---|
| General and operations managers | 55 | 11 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 51 | 38 |
| Driver and sales workers | 45 | 19 |
| Nursing assistants | 42 | 35 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 43 | 19 |
| Coaches and scouts | 41 | 34 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 38 | 23 |
| Retail salespersons | 38 | 24 |
| Farmworkers, laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse | 37 | N/A |
| Customer service representatives | 37 | 32 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Regional news
Nez Perce County
- The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced the rehabilitation work on Lewiston’s Clearwater Memorial Bridge won a western regional America’s Transportation Award for its use of robotic arms to tie rebar in the bridge-deck assembly. Source: ITD
- Cascade Plastics, owned by Flex Labs out of St. Paul, Minnesota, has announced plans to construct a plastic injection molding manufacturing facility in Lewiston. Construction of the $6.5 million, 36,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed in early 2026 and may employ 30 workers in Lewiston. Cascade Plastics currently supplies plastic bullet packaging trays to The Kinetic Group (aka CCI/Speer). Source: Lewiston Tribune
Idaho County
- Idaho County Commissioners accepted a $2.5 million grant through the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Aeronautics for airport apron repair. Source: Idaho County Free Press
- Summerville’s Bar and Café in Riggins experienced an electrical basement fire in mid-August and has temporarily closed. Source: Idaho County Free Press
Latah County
- The University of Idaho will begin offering the state’s first Bachelor of Science degree in geological engineering. Students can complete all four years at the University of Idaho campus in Moscow or can attend the first two years at North Idaho College and then transfer to University of Idaho for the remaining two years. Source: The Argonaut
- Geological engineers identify natural resources in the earth’s crust such as minerals, oil and gas. Engineers are also likely to work in mines, oil and gas fields, or environmental consulting firms. There are currently 11 U.S. postsecondary geological engineering programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics shows approximately 100 mining and geological engineers statewide with median wages of $50 an hour.
- The University of Idaho was awarded a $1.4 million wildfire science grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant award will fund nine doctorate level researchers. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- The City of Moscow has started its Sidewalk Program Project to replace the existing pedestrian ramps with new ADA compliant ramps and improve accessibility along select city streets. The project began in mid-August and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2025. Source: City of Moscow
Clearwater County
- Clearwater County was issued an investment grade Biofuel Development Opportunity Zone ‘A’ rating for its development potential to build new biofuel plants. These are areas that are determined to have a high chance of success in drawing investment and creating jobs. Clearwater County retains Idaho’s highest producing timberlands and currently has a 42-acre vacant lumber mill site available three miles east of Orofino. Other potential sites have been identified at a former truss manufacturing site in Weippe and vacant lots in Pierce. Source: Clearwater Tribune and bdozone.org
Lewis County
- Kamiah Online, a K-8 online distance education program, has been implemented by the Kamiah School District over the past year. It will be a separate entity within the school district, but students will be counted in total enrollment numbers. Source: Idaho County Free Press
- Star Cedar Mill in Kamiah experienced a hopper fire in mid-August but was contained and had no further damage. Source: Daily Fly
Openings
- Weber Pediatrics, Lewiston
- Courtyard by Marriott hotel, Lewiston
- The Hideout sports bar, Lewiston
- OWLS Idaho Microschool, Lewiston
- Premier Autoworks, Lewiston
- Bizzy Bees Daycare and Preschool, Lewiston
- Hunter Technical Solutions, Orofino
Closings
- An American Bar, Cottonwood
- Branch and Vines retail store, Orofino
- Body Counsel by Loree Therapeutic Massage, Orofino
- Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Lewiston
- Skalicky’s Sweet Sensations Bakery retail store, Lewiston
- Little Joe’s Wee Care Center, Lewiston
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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