How many jobs were lost in Idaho last month?
Updated Apr. 14, 2026Refreshed monthly
Idaho lost 2,400 jobs in January 2026, ranking it last among states in job growth. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' state employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the state has averaged about 1,700 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
-2.4K
month to month change in number of jobs (January 2026)
50th
rank among states in monthly job growth (January 2026)
Idaho’s job loss of 2,400 January 2026 was a directional change from the previous month. The latest monthly job change was down from the 1,600 new jobs in December 2025.
During the latest five year period (February 2021 to January 2026), Idaho gained jobs in 47 out of 60 months. January 2026 had the fourth-lowest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in October 2023 (+7,100) while job growth was weakest in January 2024 (-10,300).
There were 2,400 fewer jobs in January 2026 in Idaho than the previous month.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, February 2021–January 2026, seasonally adjusted
Which Idaho sectors and industries had the best and worst job growth in January 2026?
The three supersectors with the highest job growth in January 2026 were accommodation and food services, non-durable goods, and state government. Accommodation and food services added 1,600 jobs, more than the entire economy. Non-durable goods gained 300 jobs, while state government added 300. The remaining supersectors either posted smaller gains or lost jobs during the month.
The health care and social assistance sector lost 200 jobs during January 2026.
Change in jobs since previous month with circle size representing number of sector jobs in Idaho (January 2026)
How does Idaho's job growth in 2025 compare to previous years?
In 2025, the state has gained an average of 750 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly increase of 1,100, and the smallest since 2024. The 2025 average ranks as 15th-highest in job growth since 2024.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 2,300 on average every month in 2009 to a gain of 5,400 on average every month in 2022.
In 2025, Idaho gained an average of 750 jobs every month.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs, seasonally adjusted
Job growth among six metro areas at least partially in Idaho during January 2026 ranged from a loss of 300 jobs in the Lewiston, ID area to a gain of 0 jobs in the Twin Falls, ID area metro area.
Monthly job growth, by metro area
Metro areas where at least one of its primary counties are within Idaho
| Metro area | Change in jobs | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | -100 | |
| 2. | -100 | |
| 3. | -300 | |
| 4. | +0 | |
| 5. | -100 | |
| 6. | -300 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
