Iowa Workforce Development Communications
For Immediate Release
Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Telephone: 515-725-5487
Email: communications@iwd.iowa.gov

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Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Increases Slightly to 2.9 Percent in August

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 2.9 percent in August, ending a four-month stint at 2.8 percent. Sparked primarily by retirements, the state’s labor force participation rate fell to 66.3 percent from 66.4 percent in July. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 4.2 percent.

“National headwinds continue to cause Iowa employers some collective concern about uncertainty in the U.S. economy,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “This might explain the sluggish hiring we are seeing now. However, opportunities still exist, as Iowa’s unemployment level remains low and there are more than 54,000 job openings posted on IowaWORKS.gov. IWD career planners can help match anyone ready to work with those employers who are ready to hire.”

The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 48,400 in August from 47,600 in July.

The total number of working Iowans fell to 1,635,400 in August. This figure is 2,400 lower than July and 20,300 lower than one year ago. 

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Total nonfarm employment decreased slightly in August by shedding 600 jobs and lowering the total to 1,609,400 jobs. This loss follows a similar decline of 200 jobs last month and was the result of private service firms lowering staffing levels over the last 30 days. Goods-producing firms, including manufacturing and construction, advanced slightly since July, gaining 400 jobs. Government (a sector that includes federal, state, and local political subdivisions, as well as schools, universities, and public hospitals) also added 400 jobs. Hiring was divided between state, local, and federal institutions and now rests up 3,900 jobs annually. Total nonfarm employment overall has gained 20,100 jobs over the past year.

Professional and business services shed the most jobs since July (-1,800). This sector has now pared 3,200 jobs since June. Administrative support and waste management was responsible for most of the loss, shedding 1,300 jobs. Leisure and hospitality also lost jobs in August (-500). Accommodations and food services was responsible for all the jobs shed and has been trending down slightly since April. Alternatively, construction added 700 jobs since July, erasing a small drop of 500 jobs last month. Firms involved in new building construction were responsible for most of the loss this month. Other services also added 700 jobs and has now gained 1,300 since May. Financial activities posted the only other major gain in August (+600).

Annually, Iowa establishments have added 20,100 jobs over the past 12 months. Education and health services has gained the most jobs (+10,300). Health care and social assistance has been responsible for most of the gain (+6,000) although private education has also advanced markedly since last year (+4,300). Leisure and hospitality have added 3,900 jobs thanks primarily to hiring in accommodations and food services. On the other hand, manufacturing has shed the most jobs over the past 12 months (-2,200). Nondurable goods factories are responsible for all the loss, as layoffs have been highest in food manufacturing. Other sectors shedding jobs since last August were transportation and warehousing (-1,300) and administrative support and waste management industries (-1,300).

Employment and Unemployment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
      
    Change from
 AugustJulyAugustJulyAugust
 20242024202320242023
      
Civilian labor force1,683,8001,685,4001,708,600-1,600-24,800
Unemployment48,40047,60052,900800-4,500
Unemployment rate2.9%2.8%3.1%0.1-0.2
Employment1,635,4001,637,8001,655,700-2,400-20,300
Labor Force Participation Rate66.3%66.4%67.7%-0.1-1.4
      
U.S. unemployment rate4.2%4.3%3.8%-0.10.4
      
Nonfarm Employment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
      
Total Nonfarm Employment1,609,4001,610,0001,589,300-60020,100
Mining2,1002,1002,3000-200
Construction85,80085,10082,7007003,100
Manufacturing224,400224,700226,600-300-2,200
Trade, transportation and utilities311,500311,700312,300-200-800
Information18,50018,30018,400200100
Financial activities107,800107,200107,600600200
Professional and business services145,600147,400145,200-1,800400
Education and health services244,400244,800234,100-40010,300
Leisure and hospitality145,100145,600141,200-5003,900
Other services57,40056,70056,0007001,400
Government266,800266,400262,9004003,900
Date Above Subject to Revision     
Unemployment Insurance Claims for Iowa
      
    % Change from
 AugustJulyAugustJulyAugust
 20242024202320242023
      
Initial claims8,44211,5238,476-26.7%-0.4%
Continued claims     
     Benefit recipients14,63816,43011,317-10.9%29.3%
     Weeks paid37,87146,48734,296-18.5%10.4%
     Amount paid$19,382,627$22,972,554$15,950,144-15.6%21.5%

Visit Iowa Labor Market Information for more information about current and historical data, labor force data, nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and jobless benefits by county.

MEDIA ALERT: Local data for August 2024 will be posted to the IWD website on on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.  Statewide data for September 2024 will be released on Friday, October 18, 2024.