Regional labor market information
- Labor demand in northern Idaho was stable in February 2025, with a total of 1,896 unique job postings in the region, compared to 1,916 in January. Labor demand remains markedly higher than in the previous year, when February 2024 job postings decreased by 18% at 1,559. Due to Bureau of Labor Statistics benchmarking work, which occurs in the first quarter of each year, there is no update to labor force and unemployment statistics for February.
| Northern Idaho seasonally adjusted data | Dec-24 (P) | Nov-24 (R) | Dec-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 130,789 | 129,172 | 127,946 |
| Total employment | 124,474 | 123,097 | 122,592 |
| Unemployment | 6,315 | 6,075 | 5,354 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 4.8% | 4.7% | 4.2% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked |
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, Feb-25 | Postings, Feb-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 124 | 60 |
| Retail salespersons | 63 | 62 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 57 | 26 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 33 | 36 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 32 | 37 |
| Medical and health services managers | 27 | 17 |
| Nursing assistants | 26 | 13 |
| Janitors and cleaners | 26 | 23 |
| Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 24 | 19 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 23 | 17 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 industries by job unique postings in northern Idaho | Postings, Feb-25 | Postings, Feb-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 312 | 216 |
| Administrative and support services | 198 | 162 |
| Retail trade | 188 | 188 |
| Accommodation and food services | 104 | 81 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 99 | 82 |
| Finance and insurance | 95 | 111 |
| Manufacturing | 83 | 86 |
| Wholesale trade | 57 | 41 |
| Construction | 49 | 34 |
| Educational services | 47 | 36 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho | Median duration Feb-25 | Median duration Feb-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Database architects | 23 | N/A |
| Dentists and general | 23 | N/A |
| Pharmacy technicians | 23 | N/A |
| Structural iron and steel workers | 23 | N/A |
| Cashiers | 22 | N/A |
| Loan interviewers and clerks | 20 | N/A |
| Education administrators and postsecondary | 19 | N/A |
| Occupational health and safety technicians | 19 | N/A |
| Public relations specialists | 19 | N/A |
| Securities, commodities, financial services and sales agents | 19 | N/A |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Regional news
Kootenai County
- Kootenai Health and MultiCare have announced plans to develop a new 30-acre medical campus, called Prairie Medical Campus, on the Highway 41 corridor in Post Falls. Phase one will include a micro-hospital with an emergency department and imaging, along with a multi-story facility for ambulatory surgery, laboratory services and clinic offices. Development will begin in 2025 with a 24-to-36-month completion timetable for the first phase. Source: MultiCare Newsroom
- The first phase of construction at the Millworx development has been completed, with over 200 residential units, including townhouses and multifamily residences, completed. In addition, a four-story mixed-use building has been completed with residential space available on the ground floors and residential units now available on upper levels. A 151-room hotel is still under construction and is expected to be completed by year-end. Source: Journal of Business
- The City of Coeur d’Alene’s Planning and Zoning Commission moved forward with approval for the proposed Coeur Terre development. Coeur Terre calls for a 438-acre development with up to 2,800 housing units, retail and restaurants, 18 acres of parks, and land for a new police substation and two public schools. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning the next phase of construction work on the major interchange rework at Interstate 90 and State Highway 41. After relatively mild weather allowed progress to continue throughout the winter, ITD crews have closed the westbound off-ramp and have begun construction of new ramps. Construction began in 2022 and is slated for completion in 2026. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Openings
- 208 Clothing & Gift (Rathdrum)
- B Boulangerie (Hayden)
- Grocery Outlet (Post Falls)
- Sierra (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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