Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment and labor force participation rates held steady in March amid modest job growth across many private industries, according to a report Thursday, April 17 from Iowa Workforce Development.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was up slightly from February, increasing from 3.3% to 3.4%, compared to the 4.2% increase in the U.S. unemployment rate overall. The total number of unemployed Iowans increased from 57,300 in February to 58,600 in March
March’s labor force participation rate remained unchanged at 67% as 1,700 Iowans entered the labor force. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,644,000, up 400 from February and 2,400 higher compared to one year ago.
“March’s report shows increased hiring in key industries such as construction, transportation, and healthcare, while other areas with more temporary workers pulled back,” said Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development. “There remains over 50,000 open jobs in Iowa, and the IowaWORKS career planners and Reemployment Case Management team can help Iowans who are looking for work find available jobs and learn how to best position themselves in a competitive job market.”
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment
Construction, education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities were primary contributors to Iowa’s job growth in March, adding a total of 1,500 jobs. Overall, goods-producing industries increased slightly – up a little more than 200 – while government employment changed little since February.
Iowa firms shed 1,500 jobs last month, lowering nonfarm employment to 1,592,300, which was attributed to private service industries lowering staffing levels.
“In the wake of the March report, Iowa firms have now shed 11,800 jobs over the past 12 months,” a release from IWD stated.
Construction led job gains in March, adding more than 500 positions, following a similar small gain in February. The health care and social assistance sectors also added more than 500 jobs, a trend that has continued to climb over the past six months, adding 3,900 jobs during that span and fueled by services for the elderly and disabled.
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities gained 400 jobs, with the trucking and delivery industries responsible for most of the added jobs.
Administrative support and waste management together shaved 1,200 jobs in March to lead all private sectors, fueling a combined loss of 2,000 jobs in professional and business services. Leisure and hospitality followed with a loss of 900 jobs, followed by professional, scientific, and technical firms at 600 jobs.
“These losses were evenly split between recreational industries and accommodation and food services,” the release stated.
Construction is trailing last year’s mark by 4,200, but has added jobs in three of the last four months, gaining 1,300 jobs during that time.
Health care and social assistance employers are up 5,900 jobs annually, and have continued to expand compared to last year’s mark.
Manufacturing has shed the most jobs – approximately 8,000 or less – over the past year, mainly stemming from durable goods factories, which was a little under 5,900. Professional and business services are also down a little less than 5,000 since last year, fueled by losses in administrative support and waste management.
