From the celebrity-laden peaks of Sun Valley to the meditative flatlands of Mountain Home, Idaho employment reflects the wide range of human industry and commerce. With a relatively robust and diversified economy, Idaho employment offers engaging careers in a variety of fields whether one is seeking a rugged, hands-on job or work in conceptual design. Easily accessible employment listings maintained by a proactive state government make the search for work a rewarding one. Above all, Idaho employment offers a high standard of living, whether you prefer gorgeous rural areas or culturally vibrant cities.
Idaho unemployment
Idaho unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 3.4% to a rate of 9%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Idaho Employment Opportunities
Although initially based in agriculture and natural resource development, Idaho employment has diversified to encompass numerous industries. Like many other regions in the United States, the area of Idaho’s economy that has experienced the most growth has been service-related, a category which now accounts for 38% of urban jobs and 23% of rural jobs. Health care and the state government, in particular, boast a substantial share of job creation and retention. Over the past twenty years, numerous electronics companies, such as Hewlett Packard, have opened up facilities in Idaho, making technology and dot-com enterprises an integral part of Idaho employment.
Idaho has an unemployment rate of 8.4%, which is the state’s highest rate in roughly 25 years. However, Idaho’s unemployment rate is still significantly lower than the neighboring states of Oregon, Washington, and California. The median household income in Idaho is $46,000. Idaho’s recent increase of the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour marks the greatest spending power increase of the last decade for minimum-wage job holders. Additionally, Idaho is a very friendly place for disabled workers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration awarded the Idaho Labor Department with The Group Award of Merit for its disabled worker’s initiative, which has successfully fought for the placement of disabled workers in professions across the state.
Although Idaho is primarily rural, there are a surprising variety of jobs available due to the plentiful natural resources the state offers. Manufacturing jobs, especially in resource industries such as food processing, chemical manufacturing, and lumber production, make up a substantial portion of rural Idaho employment. Mining and farming account for the primary industry in fifteen counties.
Sun Valley offers numerous service-sector employment opportunities related to the elite clientele who make this ski-resort town their temporary home. The concentrated wealth in this area has also created a demand for specialized design industries, such as those in arts and architecture, offering rewarding positions for highly competitive Idaho employment seekers.
For those who prefer a slightly more traditional urban center, Boise, Idaho’s capital and largest city, is the state’s cultural hub and corporate center. Internationally known companies such as Microsoft, United Airlines, and T-Mobile have major offices in Boise, providing a fast-paced, corporate environment to Idaho employment.
Idaho Employment Resources
Idaho employment agencies and resources include the helpful and informative state-run website, https://labor.idaho.gov/. With well-written weekly press releases and a substantial links page to other employment agencies, this site is a organized trove for statewide job searches. If you prefer to begin your research with an in-person visit, the physical address for the Idaho Department of Labor is 219 W. Main Street, Boise, Idaho 83735. Additionally, the Boise-based newspaper the Idaho Statesman is an excellent source for job leads, with a comprehensive classifieds section and a globally accessible style.
The somewhat communal, neighborhood aspect of Idaho encourages a more “face to face” approach to job hunting. Persistence, ability, and an enthusiasm for a team-based approach are essential to finding Idaho employment. When polled, numerous native Idahoans revealed that they found their jobs primarily through people they knew in the community. Although introducing oneself in person to a potential employer is generally a good idea in any job-seeking situation, in Idaho this approach is highly recommended, due to the “old boy” networks that still dominate many cities and towns.
Idaho Living Conditions
With the Rocky Mountain Range, the Snake River, copious foliage and relatively unspoiled air, Idaho’s natural beauty makes interior living seem unfashionable. The semi-arid climate is relatively mild, with the average temperature ranging between a high of 90.6F to a low of 15.1F. For those who prefer to live indoors, the median price for a home in Boise is $189,900, which is less than the $197,000 median for homes in the western portion of the United States. Idaho is also a place of innovation and recreation, as embodied by the highly desirable town of Sun Valley, whose one major grocery store sports a world-class selection of cheeses, freshly flown-in sushi and an array of other high-end, rarefied cuisine.
Statewide, there are 52 public library systems and 31 major museums. Idaho’s current state sales tax rate is 6%, although one’s entire income is subject to tax, whether that income was earned in Idaho or in other states or countries. The maximum personal income tax rate is 7.8%, based on a graduated scale. This maximum rate is reached once a single filer earns $23,963 and a married filer earns $47,926. There is no state property tax, only local property taxes, which vary anywhere from 1.2% to 1.7%, depending on the county.
Idaho Employment
The broad span of Idaho employment encompasses everything from steady minimum-wage jobs at gas stations to the opportunity to labor with some of the most intellectually and artistically gifted people in the world. The Gem State’s abundant natural resources, combined with emerging technological industries and numerous user-friendly job-seeking institutions, makes Idaho employment accessible to those who value team-building and innovation. Ultimately, whether one prefers the urban feel of Boise or the rural beauty of Bennington, Idaho employment offers opportunities for everyone.
