Regional labor market information

• Labor demand in south central Idaho remained stable in November 2024, with a total of 2,525 unique job postings in the region, a 13% increase from 2,901 unique postings in October 2024. The unemployment rate increased to 0.2% from October 2024 and has increased 0.6% from November 2023. Total employment has grown 0.7% over the past year.

Figure 1.

South central Idaho seasonally adjusted data	Nov-24 (P)	Oct-24 (R)	Nov-23 (B)
Civilian labor force	108,197	109,234	106,839
Total employment	104,229	105,368	103,548
Unemployment	3,968	3,866	3,291
% of labor force unemployed	3.7%	3.5%	3.1%
Source: Idaho Department of Labor	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

Figure 2.

Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in south central Idaho	Postings, Nov-24	Postings, Nov-23
Retail salespersons	120	75
Registered nurses	103	79
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers	92	90
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers	58	38
Customer service representatives	48	52
Maintenance and repair workers, general	44	27
Laborers, freight, stocker, material movers and hand	41	40
General and operations managers	36	20
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers	36	20
Cashiers	33	44
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Figure 3

Top 10 industries by unique job postings in south central Idaho	Postings, Nov-24	Postings, Nov-23
Retail trade	399	262
Health care and social assistance	386	260
Manufacturing	326	244
Construction	114	38
Other services (except public administration)	104	27
Professional, scientific and technical services	100	121
Wholesale trade	95	78
Public administration	89	34
Accommodation and food services	87	109
Transportation and warehousing	79	86
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

• Construction and other services (except public administration job postings) were up 200% and 285% respectively over the year. Accommodation and food services, and transportation and warehousing job openings have decreased 20% and 8% respectively over the year.

Figure 4

Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in south central Idaho	Days to fill, Nov-24	Days to fill, Nov-23
Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks	59	N/A
Editors	59	N/A
Business operations specialists and all other	58	N/A
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan	58	N/A
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers	57	4
Personal financial advisors	56	N/A
Dental assistants	56	N/A
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks	56	N/A
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers	55	N/A
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers	54	12
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Regional news

Blaine County

• Dollar Mountain opened to snowboarders and skiers for the season, Dec. 13. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

• The Mountain Rides Transportation Authority board voted for a 30% increase in commuter van leases, from 62 cents a mile to 81 cents a mile, along with funding for four new electric vans. Vanpool leases haven’t been updated since 2018. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

• Sun Valley Resort opened seven runs on opening day, Nov. 28. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

• The city of Ketchum is in the process of buying a three-unit residential building and adjacent lot to be converted into workforce housing. The unit and subsequent lot are being sold at $2.4 million. Once finalized, the city will rent to residents living and working full time in Blaine County who make more than 140% of the area median income. Source: Idaho Mountain Express

Cassia County

• The Bank of Commerce opened a new branch in Burley. The Bank of Commerce was planning on opening a branch in the area years ago but was delayed due to COVID-19. The current location is temporary, with a more permanent building planned to break ground spring 2025. Source: KMVT

• Pomerelle Mountain opened to snowboarders and skiers, Nov. 29. Source: KMVT

Twin Falls County

• The Twin Falls City Council has accepted a contract and approved funding to move forward with the planned Canyon Trail Junction and Chobani Wellness Park. The current gravel lot will be turned into a landscaped area with a permanent restroom, a larger parking lot, fitness equipment, shade structures and bouldering features. Construction is planned to take around 12 weeks with groundbreaking planned in February. Source: Magic Valley Times News

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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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