Regional news

Regional labor market information

Figure 1.

Southeastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data	Dec-25 (P)	Nov-25 (R)	Dec-24 (B)
Civilian labor force	87,878	87,395	87,035
Total employment	84,741	84,273	83,696
Unemployment	3,137	3,122	3,339
Percentage of labor force unemployed	3.6%	3.6%	3.8%
Source: Idaho Department of Labor	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

• As October data was not available due to the government shutdown, month over month analysis is not available for it. Labor force increased by 500 since November with 400 more employed people and 15 more unemployed. The unemployment rate is the same as last month at 3.6%.

Figure 2.

Southeastern Idaho job postings	Dec-25	Dec-24
Unique postings	2,145	1,140
Days posted	24	31
Number of employers	521	281
Average hourly wage	$21.60	$21.11
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	42%	31%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Postings have doubled since 2024, but this may be an artifact of how the Conference Board has changed how they count postings. This change took place in May 2025. The average hourly wage has remained similar in amount but is more representative at 42% of job postings instead of 31% in December 2024.

Figure 3.

Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho	Postings, Dec-25	Postings, Dec-24
Registered Nurses	129	61
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	77	37
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	77	19
Retail Salespersons	71	68
Customer Service Representatives	69	9
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	41	11
Food Service Managers	41	16
Fast Food and Counter Workers	40	14
Nursing Assistants	33	24
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	29	32
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Job postings for Registered Nurses doubled in the month of December from 2024 as the occupation continues to lead the region in demand. Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Home Health and Personal Care Aides also continue to see elevated postings at 77 each.

Figure 4.

Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho	Postings, Dec-25	Postings, Dec-24
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals	232	145
Limited-Service Restaurants	88	17
Supermarkets and Other Grocery (Except Convenience Stores)	63	52
Elementary and Secondary Schools	46	6
Credit Unions	44	5
Home Health Care Services	44	10
Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools	39	38
Other General Government Support	39	53
Engineering Services	33	8
Postal Service	30	0
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals are the top hiring industry in the region with Limited-Service Restaurants and Supermarket and Grocery Stores listed at second and third. Limited-Service Restaurants saw a significant increase in postings with 71 new positions compared to December 2024.

Figure 5.

Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southeastern Idaho	Median duration, Dec-25	Unique postings, Dec-25
Security Guards	59	2
Medical and Health Services Managers	55	5
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	55	3
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors	55	2
Dental Assistants	51	1
Civil Engineers	50	4
Accountants and Auditors	45	4
Computer Occupations, All Other	43	5
Medical Assistants	41	12
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	39	17
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Security Guards, Medical and Health Services Managers, Network Administrators and Substance Abuse Counselors were the hardest to fill occupations in southeastern Idaho with each of the positions being open for more than 50 days; however, these occupations also had relatively few postings from two to five. Vocational Nurses barely made it on the list of hardest to fill occupations at 39 days listed, yet the occupation had the most unique postings on the list at 17.

Regional news

Bannock County

• Pocatello hit a record high of 57 degrees Fahrenheit on Christmas. Meteorologist, Andrew McKaughan, highlighted the unusual weather with several days this winter at an elevated 15-20 degrees higher than average. Previously, meteorologists expected a La Nina for the winter of 2025 and 2026 which would have resulted in a colder winter and more snowfall. Meteorologist, Dan Valle, says that while there has been rain which is good from an aquifer standpoint, the lack of snow is bad from a reservoir standpoint. Source: KPVI News, East Idaho News

• The Mountain View Event Center expansion is expected to open mid-February. The extra 20,000 square feet of the ICCU Field House will be used to host indoor sports like baseball and soccer. Source: Idaho State Journal

• The Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 settled their insurance claim with the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) over the 2023 Highland High School fire. As part of the settlement, the district will receive $36.1 million as the ICRMP concludes business with the district and as the district moves to private insurance through a broker, Moreton and Company. The funds in combination with a $43 modernization fund from House Bill 521 will go towards completing Highland’s main building and other new facilities including a new auditorium. Source: East Idaho News

• The Center Street Underpass Project resumed under Cannon Builders. The project aims to improve safety and aesthetics. Source: East Idaho News

Bingham County

• A new youth activity and learning center is under construction in Blackfoot. The fantasy themed center will offer tax filing assistance, personal finance classes, business startup classes and post high-school career planning. The center also offers amenities like billiards, board games, free Wi-Fi and snacks. Source: East Idaho News, KPVI News

• Bingham Memorial Hospital and Portneuf Medical Center have partnered with Virchow Medical Inc. to pilot a new program to better analyze biopsies, reducing the need for repeated cell collection. Source: East Idaho News

Caribou County

• The Crossroads Restaurant, a steakhouse, opened in Soda Springs in the place of the recently closed Caribou Jacks Hardware. Source: Idaho State Journal

• Grumpy Guy’s Pizza opened a new location in Soda Springs with a new kitchen and dining area capable of hosting banquets.  Source: The News Examiner

Franklin County

• Haven Home Furnishings was purchased by new owners after the old owners retired. The new owners intend to increase online presence. Source: Idaho State Journal

• Pop’N Pins in Preston changed ownership after the previous owner retired. The facility has a new roof, new shoes and new bowling balls. Source: Idaho State Journal

• The Arctic Circle in Preston has rebranded to Taters and will feature a similar menu. It will continue ownership with the same family that opened the Arctic Circle in 1957. Source: Idaho State Journal

Regional openings

• Roosters Grazing Restaurant opened in Montpelier.

• Le Cordon Blonde catering service opened in Pocatello.

• Cookie’s Coffee opened a second location in Saint Charles Bear Lake County.

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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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