Sharp jobs gain reported in Idaho

Idaho reported a gain of more than 15,400 workers in June, the second highest monthly jump in 32 months.

The earlier high mark came in September last year, when payrolls grew by 17,000, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

The state jobless number, and detailed county unemployment numbers, will be released July 22.

The May jobless rate for Kootenai County was 11.4 percent. Idaho’s jobless rate in May was 9.4 percent.

Comparing the job gains from June to one year earlier, Idaho as a whole grew by 1,600 jobs. Compared to June 2009, Idaho saw a net growth of 450 jobs

Among the nine U.S. geographic regions used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Pacific group reported 10.9 percent unemployment in May of this year. That’s the highest by region, the BLS said.