Idaho ranks top three in nation for wage growth
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Boise, Idaho ~ Boise, Idaho - In a recent statement, Governor Brad Little expressed his satisfaction with the news that Idaho's average hourly wage has increased by 4.7% in 2025, placing the state third nationally for percentage increase in mean wage. This data was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) program.

According to the report, Idaho's average wage for all occupations in 2025 was $29.41 per hour, which is a significant increase of $1.31 per hour from the previous year. This growth is a strong indicator of a healthy economy and reflects the state's commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive and workers can earn more.

Governor Little emphasized the positive impact of rising wages on families, workers, and communities. He stated that it not only provides more opportunities for families but also boosts worker confidence and contributes to overall prosperity in the state.

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Idaho ranked third in the country for percentage increase in average wage, behind Kentucky and Montana. The median wage, representing the midpoint between lowest and highest earners, also saw an increase from $22.34 per hour in 2024 to $23.06 per hour in 2025 - a 3.2% rise.

All seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Idaho experienced increases in both average and median wages in 2025. The Coeur d'Alene MSA had the largest increase in average wage at $1.68 per hour while the Pocatello MSA saw a significant jump of $0.95 per hour in median wage.

In terms of labor market regions, southwestern Idaho had the highest average hourly wage at $30.76 - surpassing $30 per hour as the only region to do so. It also had the highest median wage at $23.53 per hour, closely followed by north central at $23.08 per hour. All labor market regions in Idaho saw median and average wages surpass $22 per hour in 2025.

The report also highlighted the growth in employment across the state. In 2025, Idaho's reported employment number was 857,440 - an increase of over 12,000 from the previous year. All MSAs and labor market regions experienced employment growth, with the Lewiston MSA and north central region seeing the largest increases at 2.8% and 2.3%, respectively.

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The largest occupation by employment in Idaho in 2025 was fast food and counter workers with over 25,000 employed, followed by general and operations managers at 24,880. These occupations ranked third and fourth nationally after home health and personal care aides and retail salespersons.

The Idaho Department of Labor's OEWS webpage provides complete data on employment and wages for the state, including MSAs, nonmetropolitan areas, and labor market regions. The department also compiles information on labor market regions that are not official Bureau of Labor Statistics areas but hold great importance for Idaho.

Overall, this report showcases the continued growth of Idaho's economy and its commitment to creating a thriving environment for businesses and workers alike. With rising wages and increasing employment opportunities, Governor Little's statement reflects the positive impact this has on families, workers, and communities across the state.

Filed Under: Government, State

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