Idaho forests employ thousands

And helps stimulate rural economies

Working forests fuel Idaho’s economy with wages, taxes and purchases from employees and businesses. The forest products sector employs loggers and mill workers, forest planners, wildlife biologists, accountants, IT experts, salespeople and executive managers. Wood products manufacturing also helps create and sustain related jobs — mechanics, truck repair, welders to name a few. More than 13,200 people were employed in these supportive jobs with an income of $451 million.

FOREST FACT:  In 2017, the number of jobs in Idaho directly related to the industry was more than 15,700 with an estimated income of $685 million.

The chart below highlights employment numbers in Idaho’s forest products industry and timber harvest from 1991 to 2017.