Regional news

Regional labor market information

**October 2025 employment data could not be generated due to the government shutdown**

Figure 1.

North central Idaho job postings	Nov-25	Nov-24
Unique postings	2,337	1,861
Days posted	31	29
Number of employers	540	341
Average hourly wage	$24.06	$29.35
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	47%	36%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Job posting comparability between 2024 and 2025 is significantly affected by a change in processes implemented by Lightcast during 2025. November 2025 job postings decreased 12% since October. As winter weather sets in, regional job postings often peak in October and then decline from November to February before rising again in the spring.

Figure 2.

Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in north central Idaho	Postings, Nov-25	Postings, Nov-24
Registered nurses	177	137
Home health and personal care aides	79	11
Retail salespersons	70	95
Physicians, all other	56	12
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers	52	26
Food service managers	49	10
Customer service representatives	44	24
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers	37	27
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	37	21
Health technologists and technicians, all other	33	36
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Job postings for food service managers increased substantially in November to just under 50 regional postings. This is the highest number of active postings for this occupation since the summer of 2022 as additional fast-food restaurants and grocers are competing for workforce talent.

Figure 3.

Top 10 industries by unique job postings in north central Idaho	Postings, Nov-25	Postings, Nov-24
Health care and social assistance	410	409
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services	407	313
Retail trade	237	190
Educational services	169	220
Accommodation and food services	149	38
Professional, scientific and technical services	116	46
Transportation and warehousing	97	49
Finance and insurance	74	102
Manufacturing	69	76
Wholesale trade	59	38
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Job posting growth throughout the month of November occurred within accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and technical services and wholesale trade. This growth was offset by lower postings within administrative and support services and manufacturing entities.

Figure 4.

Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in north central Idaho	Median duration, Nov-25	Unique postings, Nov-25
Managers, all other	53	53
Postsecondary teachers	51	51
Nurse practitioners	44	44
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	43	43
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians	43	43
Customer service representatives	39	39
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers	37	37
Maids and housekeeping cleaners	34	34
Stockers and order fillers	33	33
Retail salespersons	32	32
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• The top five occupational job postings this month with the longest duration each have high annual salaries of over $60,000 per year but also require a strong balance of both technical and soft skills.

Regional news

• Two north central power providers – Clearwater Power Company and Idaho County Light & Power – were selected among eight statewide wildfire resilience projects by the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Program funding will enable Clearwater Power Company to install fire-resistant mesh wrap on 2,150 power poles and Idaho County Light & Power will use the funds for right of way expansion and vegetation reduction. Work will occur between 2026-2027. Source: Idaho Capital Sun

• Arnzen Super Drug is now under the ownership of St. Mary’s Health & Clearwater Valley Health. Arnzen Super Drug operates pharmacies in Cottonwood, Kamiah and Orofino. Source: Idaho County Free Press

• A significant wind event that occurred throughout north central Idaho on Dec. 16 – 18 resulted in a vast amount of regional school closures and extensive power outages due to fallen trees and downed power lines. Local utility companies worked around the clock for nearly a week to restore basic services. Source: Clearwater Power Company and Avista

• The University of Idaho was awarded a $1.25 million grant from the National Science Foundation to enhance an existing mineral database and make the data easier to analyze while also strengthening the mining workforce. Source: University of Idaho

• The Rural Crisis Center Network opened a new facility in Lewiston to provide counseling services and a safe space for people experiencing a mental health crisis for up to 24 hours. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Latah County

• The University of Idaho awarded 686 degrees to 602 graduates during its 2025 winter commencement. This marks the second consecutive year that more than 600 graduates were honored during winter commencement. Source: University of Idaho

• Burlington Stores plans to open a new location in Moscow’s Palouse Place mall. The company is currently hiring for open positions. Source: Burlington Stores

• Moscow Medical has joined Gritman Medical Center’s network. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Nez Perce County

• The Rural Crisis Center Network opened a new facility in Lewiston. The facility provides counseling and a safe space for up to 24 hours for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Source: Lewiston Tribune

Regional openings

• Buns on the Run food truck, Lewiston

• Ritz Eatz Food Truck Court, Lewiston

• NUDE Tanning Co., Cottonwood

• The Range Cigar Lounge, Grangeville

Regional closings

• B’s Bakery, Lewiston

• Downtown Bourbon, Lewiston

• Vine Moscow wine bar, Moscow

• N&N Machine, Orofino

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This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY26 as part of the Workforce Information grant (41%) and state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595.

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