Idaho: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #24 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,839,106.
Idaho ranks #24 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (41.6). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 26.2 (Low), while Construction is the most challenging at 58.4 (High). The 32.2-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 118,844 jobs.
Idaho: 41.6 Average Entry Risk
Idaho at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Idaho
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Idaho.
Entry Risk by Industry in Idaho
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Idaho. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Idaho Industry Data: 79,687 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 26.2 | #4/51 | 5,440 | 77,676 | $23,623 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 29.8 | #7/51 | 11,960 | 118,844 | $57,574 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 34.9 | #11/51 | 15,557 | 52,122 | $95,211 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 40.1 | #12/51 | 7,568 | 93,872 | $40,749 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 40.8 | #20/51 | 5,965 | 22,131 | $45,185 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 42.1 | #30/51 | 6,567 | 47,152 | $54,533 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 43.4 | #32/51 | 4,307 | 10,561 | $56,885 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 43.8 | #24/51 | 3,096 | 0 | $0 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 56.2 | #39/51 | 5,549 | 27,960 | $93,171 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 58.4 | #48/51 | 13,678 | 68,668 | $64,986 |
Largest Industries in Idaho by Employment
Metro Markets in Idaho
6 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Idaho Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Idaho: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Idaho's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Idaho averages 41.6 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #24 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Idaho?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in Idaho at 26.2 (Low). It employs 77,676 workers across 5,440 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Idaho?
Construction posts Idaho's highest entry risk at 58.4 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Idaho?
79,687 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Idaho, employing 518,986 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Idaho's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Idaho with 118,844 jobs across 11,960 establishments and an entry risk score of 29.8.