Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.3 percent in April, unchanged from March and below the 3.6% mark recorded one year ago, according to data released this (Thursday) morning by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). The number of unemployed Iowans fell to 57,200 in April from 58,100 in March. Meanwhile, the state’s labor force participation rate slipped from 67.7 percent to 67.5 percent, and the number of working Iowans declined by 2,800 to 1,677,900. IWD Director Beth Townsend says, “April results indicate Iowa experienced stronger-than-expected growth in leisure and hospitality, along with notable increases in the hiring for health care, manufacturing, and construction jobs. While gains were modest, it nonetheless demonstrates that opportunities exist for any Iowan entering the workforce – especially when it comes to careers in health care and social assistance, which currently employs 4,300 more people than it did a year ago.” Accommodations and food services led all sectors, adding 1,600 jobs, while manufacturing added 400 positions. Retail trade posted the largest monthly decline, shedding 1,400 jobs. Over the past year, Iowa employers have lost 15,100 jobs overall, led by declines in trade, transportation, utilities, and manufacturing. Check the full IWD dataset using the link included below.
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