Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8% in April, down from last month’s rate of 2.9% and equaling the rate from a year ago, according to a report May 16 from Iowa Workforce Development.
According to the report, the state’s labor force participation rate fell to 66.8%, down from 67% last month. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 3.9% in April.
“April’s report shows signs of easing across the Iowa economy, with several industries inching back from huge hiring sprees earlier in the year,” Iowa Workforce Development Executive Director Beth Townsend said in a release. “Many industries remain at or near historic highs for employment despite Iowa’s aging workforce. Last month was the tenth month during the past year where Iowans voluntarily left the workforce, possibly to retire or go back to school. With IowaWORKS continuing to list more than 56,000 open jobs, we see plenty of opportunities available for those Iowans who want to work.”
The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 47,200 in April, down from 48,700 in March.
The total number of working Iowans fell to 1,646,900 in April – 1,300 workers lower than March and 19,300 lower than one year ago.
In April, Iowa’s business establishments trimmed payrolls slightly relative to March (-900), lowering total nonfarm employment to 1,610,800. Hiring in private service and government was eclipsed by layoffs in goods-producing industries, particularly within construction, which eased down in April following a sizable gain in March. Private services received a boost from leisure and hospitality and other services, which advanced by a combined 2,000 jobs.
Construction shed the most jobs (-3,100) after establishing an all-time high in March. Even when factoring in the April loss, this sector continues to generally trend up and has gained 1,500 jobs compared to last year, according to the report.
Professional and business services lost 600 positions in administrative support and waste management services. This sector fared well last month, and has now gained 2,400 jobs since February. Heavy and civil engineering construction was responsible for much of the movement.
Finance posted the only other loss in April, paring 300 jobs with losses in both credit intermediation and insurance. Alternatively, leisure and hospitality expanded their payrolls in April (+1,000). Most of those hires were within eating and drinking establishments, although arts, entertainment, and recreation gained 200 jobs. Other services also gained 1,000, and has advanced by 2,500 jobs over the past three months.
Trade and transportation advanced by 600 since March, with half of all jobs added being in transportation and warehousing.
Over the past 12 months, total nonfarm employment has increased by 22,900 jobs. The largest gain has been in leisure and hospitality (+5,900). Accommodations and food services fueled all the hiring in this sector; arts, entertainment, and recreation has decreased slightly since last year.
Education and health care have added 5,300 jobs over the past 12 months. Most of the jobs gained originated from health care and social assistance (+4,500). On the flip side, the trade, transportation, and utilities sector has lost the most jobs (-3,000). Retail trade along with transportation and warehousing have been responsible for the jobs shed over the past 12 months.
