Regional news

Regional labor market information

Figure 1. Southwestern Idaho labor market indicators (seasonally adjusted data)

Labor market indicators	Sep-26 (P)	Aug-26 (R)	Sep-25 (B)
Civilian labor force	489,138	491,826	494,316
Total employment	472,160	474,840	476,607
Unemployment	16,978	16,956	17,709
Percentage of labor force unemployed	3.5%	3.4%	3.6%
Source: Idaho Department of Labor	P – Preliminary	R – Revised	B – Benchmarked

• Southwestern Idaho’s unemployment rate increased from August but remained below its September 2025 level. Employment and the civilian labor force both decreased from the previous month.

Figure 2. Southwestern Idaho job postings

Job posting indicators	Sep-26	Sep-25
Unique postings	34,601	26,319
Days posted	29	24
Number of employers	4,567	4,047
Average hourly wage	$29.51	$29.85
Percentage of postings with advertised wage	51%	53%
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Unique job postings and the number of employers posting jobs increased from a year earlier. Postings remained active longer, while the median advertised hourly wage decreased. About half of postings included an advertised wage.

Figure 3. Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho

Occupations	Postings, Sep-26	Postings, Sep-25
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	971	400
Registered Nurses	952	883
Retail Salespersons	882	681
Software Developers	760	576
Customer Service Representatives	646	588
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, except Technical and Scientific Products	605	469
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	518	433
Project Management Specialists	443	292
Medical and Health Services Managers	433	385
General and Operations Managers	426	396
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers had the largest year-over-year increase in postings among the occupations listed. Postings also increased for Software Developers and Retail Salespersons, while Registered Nurses remained one of the most-posted occupations.

Figure 4. Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho

Industries	Postings, Sep-26	Postings, Sep-25
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals	1,577	1,829
Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing	851	288
Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores	614	425
Engineering Services	570	583
Limited-Service Restaurants	515	534
Elementary and Secondary Schools	503	451
Other General Government Support	488	419
Employment Placement Agencies	361	262
Commercial Banking	314	270
Full-Service Restaurants	297	220
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Postings decreased year over year at General Medical and Surgical Hospitals. Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing had an increase, while Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores also recorded more postings than a year earlier.

Figure 5. Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southwestern Idaho

Occupations	Median duration, Sep-26 (days)	Unique postings, Sep-26
Food Preparation Workers	36	233
Nursing Assistants	34	266
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	33	420
Stockers and Order Fillers	32	266
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	32	971
Sales Representatives of Services, except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services and Travel	32	368
Driver/Sales Workers	32	250
Janitors and Cleaners, except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	31	318
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	31	206
Civil Engineers	31	204
Source: The Conference Board-Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine

• Food Preparation Workers had the longest median posting duration among the occupations listed, followed by Nursing Assistants and Maintenance and Repair Workers, General.

Regional news

• The Idaho Department of Correction requested $453 million in state funding to expand capacity across three correctional facilities to address prison overcrowding. The proposed capital request includes funding for a new 1,500-bed medium-security facility in Kuna, alongside expanded housing and program spaces at existing state institutions. Department officials reported that state prison populations increased beyond maximum operational capacity, requiring the agency to seek infrastructure expansion to meet long-term public safety requirements. Source: KTVB7

• Boise State University secured an $8 million federal grant to launch Project TRAIL (Teacher Residency, Academy for Induction and Leadership), a collaborative initiative with nine local school districts aimed at recruiting, training and retaining educators in rural southwestern Idaho. The funding will support teacher residencies, provide stipends for mentor educators and offer professional development pathways for career-changing professionals entering the teaching field. Program administrators plan to use the federal resources to strengthen local educator retention rates and expand instructional staffing capacity across rural classrooms. Source: Idaho News 6

Ada County

• According to data from Apartment List, the median overall rent in Boise increased to $1,425 in August, positioning the city 2.5% above the national median and $54 below its peak rate recorded in August 2021. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment increased to $1,231, representing a 1.5% monthly increase and a 9% annual increase. Concurrently, apartment vacancy rates decreased to 4.27%, marking the lowest available housing inventory level recorded in the city since early 2022. Source: BoiseDev

• Treasure Valley Habitat For Humanity and the West Ada School District established a partnership combining high school construction workforce training with affordable housing development. The collaborative initiative is designed to increase practical construction skills among students while expanding the local supply of affordable homes across the Treasure Valley. Source: Idaho Business Review

• ABM Industries announced the grand opening of its new ABM Technical Training Center in Boise to support the growing regional semiconductor manufacturing sector. The new facility will provide specialized instruction, virtual reality simulations and hands-on labs to train up to 500 participants annually for entry-level technician roles in semiconductor operations. Program graduates will earn industry-recognized certifications to help meet expanding workforce demands across the regional technology supply chain. Source: ABM Industries

• The Boise Fire Department received a $2.3 million federal SAFER grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to hire nine additional firefighters over a three-year period. The federal funding will increase the crew size to four-person staffing across three selected engine companies: Station 5 in Downtown Boise, Station 6 on the Boise Bench and Station 14 in Southwest Boise. Municipal officials reported the increased staffing model aims to improve emergency response capabilities and support operational capacity across the capital city’s expanding footprint. Source: Idaho News 6

• Boise State University officially opened the new ESI Construction Management Building, the campus’s first mass-timber facility, to support its growing construction management program. Total enrollment in the program increased from 300 students during initial building design to 560 students, reflecting an increase in regional workforce demand. Constructed without state funding through industry partner contributions, the hands-on learning facility features exposed structural systems, specialized labs and interactive instructional spaces to prepare graduates for project management careers across the state. Source: Idaho Education News

Canyon County

• Northwest Nazarene University officially opened the new 22,000-square-foot Rob Roberts Training Facility on its campus in Nampa. The indoor athletic and educational building features expanded indoor practice space, baseball and softball training areas and specialized golf simulators. University leadership reported that the new facility supports year-round athletic performance, academic programs and student health initiatives across campus. Source: Idaho News 6

• City of Caldwell engineering officials reported that expanding water system infrastructure, rather than the raw water supply itself, represents the primary municipal constraint under regional growth. Engineering consultants outlined a multi-year strategy to build new production wells, storage tanks and distribution mains to address capacity limits caused by several years without facility additions. Municipal leaders plan to establish a dedicated water task force and collaborate with local developers to fund and accelerate capital delivery schedules. Source: Idaho News 6

Gem County

• Western Livestock Exchange officially reopened the livestock auction yard in Emmett following its purchase by new local owners. The facility held its inaugural sale under new management, processing approximately 200 sheep, goats and cattle for agricultural producers across Gem County, as well as surrounding rural communities. The weekly operational yard eliminates the need for regional ranchers to transport livestock to alternative sales sites in Caldwell or eastern Oregon. Source: Emmett Messenger Index

Valley County

• Valley County officials presented an infrastructure report identifying an $83.7 million maintenance and repair backlog across 103 miles of paved county roads in poor or failing condition. Engineering estimates indicate the county requires approximately $6.8 million in additional annual revenue to address the long-term transportation deficit. County commissioners are evaluating funding strategies, including potential property tax levies and developer impact fees, alongside operational changes to maintain its 726-mile road network. Source: Valley Lookout

Regional openings

• Tractor Supply Co. distribution center opened in Nampa.

• The Potter’s Center opened a second location in Nampa.

• Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream opened in Eagle.

• Krossfade Kombucha Cocktails & Mocktails opened in Garden City.

• Yeah Gurl Boutique opened in Caldwell.

• Gem 73 Winery opened in Caldwell.

• D&B Supply opened new location in Homedale.

• DK Donuts opened a new location in Kuna.

• Bobby’s Café opened in Boise.

• Feet Fleet opened new location in Boise.

• Brotherly Love opened in The Warehouse Food Hall in Boise.

• VASA Fitness opened in Boise.

• We Play Boise opened in the Treasure Valley.

• Capital Corner Bar opened in Boise.

• LANNA Grills & Bowls opened in Meridian.

• Fat Guys Fresh Deli opened in Meridian.

• Flower Child opened in Meridian.

• Alo Yoga opened in Meridian.

• Tecovas opened in Meridian.

• Kendra Scott opened in Meridian.

• Gorjana opened in Meridian.

Regional closings

• KJ’s American Grille closed in Merdian.

• Chip Cookies closed in Meridian.

• Two Starbucks locations closed in Garden City and Emmett.

• Big 5 in Boise closed.

• Toll Station Pizza and Grill closed in McCall.

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This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY27 as part of the Workforce Information grant (55%) and state/nonfederal funds (45%) totaling $649,127.

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