February 2025 | Released March 28, 2025

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United States Employment Snapshot

• In February, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 8, rose in 14, and remained unchanged in 29.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.

• In February, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 23. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in Wyoming. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Alaska.

Idaho Employment Snapshot

• In February, Idaho added 100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.7 percent. In the prior month, Idaho added 1,100 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Idaho added 22,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 3.5 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in February, or 0.1 percent. Idaho ranks 1st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In February, Idaho’s private sector added 1,300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 23,000 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Idaho added 800 net private payroll jobs.

• In February, employment in Idaho rose by 797, and over the past 12 months it rose by 16,460.

• Idaho’s labor force participation rate fell to 63.8 percent in February from 63.9 percent and is tied for 22nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has remained unchanged.

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Idaho Payroll Employment

• Idaho added 100 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during February. In the prior month, Idaho added 1,100 jobs. Idaho nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 10 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in February, or 0.1 percent. Idaho ranks 1st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Idaho added 1,300 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during February. In the prior month, Idaho added 800 jobs. Idaho private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 140,000 jobs in February, or 0.1 percent. Idaho ranks 1st in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during February were Leisure and Hospitality (2,000) and Professional and Business Services (800).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Construction (-700) and Government (-1,200).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Construction (7,200) and Education and Health Services (4,700).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Information (-200) and Government (-200).

Idaho Labor Force

The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.

• The labor force participation rate in Idaho fell to 63.8 percent in February from 63.9 percent in the prior month.

• Idaho is tied for 22nd in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Idaho was 64.5 percent occurring in December 2019, and the 10-year low was 62.8 percent in April 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4 percent in February.