Printer Friendly PDF Version

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.7 percent in April from 4.9 percent in March, and was well below the year ago rate of 5.2 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate for April eased down to 7.5 percent from 7.6 percent in March.

"The state’s unemployment rate continued to show improvement in April, falling to its lowest level since December 2008," said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. "The statewide labor force also grew for the fourth consecutive month, a sign that individuals are feeling more confident about the job market." The estimate of unemployed persons dropped to 77,800 in April from 80,500 in March. The number of unemployed stood at 86,200 one year ago. The total number of working Iowans increased for the seventh consecutive month in April, climbing to 1,570,900 from 1,562,100 in March. The level stood at 1,557,900 one year ago.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Total nonfarm employment held steady at 1,518,000 in April. Monthly gains in manufacturing and several of the service industries were offset by losses in construction and government.

Education and health services gained 1,700 jobs in April, the most of any sector. Health services contributed most of the gain (+1,400). Financial services added 1,600 jobs, bringing the sector’s employment to an all-time high of 104,300. Trade and transportation increased by 1,400, reversing a two-month slide. Retail trade was responsible for the majority of the gains (+800), although both wholesale trade and transportation were also positive. Leisure and hospitality advanced by 1,100 following a large loss last month. On the other hand, construction lost the most jobs for the second straight month (-2,500). Government pared a total of 1,700 jobs; however, many of the losses stemmed from an early shedding of seasonal workers as opposed to budget issues. Professional and business services also experienced its second consecutive monthly loss (-1,300), following a strong start to the new year.

Compared to last year, manufacturing has added the most jobs (+7,100). Education and health services placed second in annual growth (+3,400), followed by financial activities (+3,100). Other large over-the-year gains were noted in leisure and hospitality (+1,900) and trade and transportation (+1,700). The largest annual losses occurred in construction (-3,600) and information (-1,100).

MEDIA ALERT: An audio cut of comments about Iowa’s labor market situation is available by calling (515) 281-6057. The statewide data for May 2013 will be released on June 21, 2013, and the local data will be posted to the IWD website on June 25.

Employment and Unemployment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data         Change from   April  2013 March 2013 April  2012 March  2013 April  2012 Civilian labor force 1,648,700 1, 642,600 1,644,100 6,100 4,600 Unemployment 77,800 80,500 86,200 -2,700 -8,400 Unemployment rate 4.7% 4.9% 5.2% -0.2 -0.5 Employment 1,570,900 1,562,100 1,557,900 8,800 13,000                 U.S. unemployment rate 7.5% 7.6% 8.1% -0.1 -0.6             Nonfarm Employment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data             Total nonfarm employment 1,518,000 1,518,000 1,506,100 0 11,900 Mining 2,200 2,300 2,200 -100 0 Construction 62,100 64,600 65,700 -2,500 -3,600 Manufacturing 217,100 216,400 210,000 700 7,100 Trade, transportation and utilities 307,900 306,500 306,200 1,400 1,700 Information 26,000 26,200 27,100 -200 -1,100 Financial activities 104,300 102,700 101,200 1,600 3,100 Professional and business services 130,200 131,500 129,300 -1,300 900 Education and health services 223,700 222,000 220,300 1,700 3,400 Leisure and hospitality 135,300 134,200 133,400 -1,100 1,900 Other services 56,600 57,300 57,500 -700 -900 Government 252,600 254,300 253,200 -1,700 -600

Visit www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/laborforce/locallaborforce.html for county unemployment rates,
www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/laborforce/index.html for current and historical labor force data and
www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/empstat/msanonag.htm for detailed information on nonfarm employment.

Visit www.iowaworkforce.org/trends/wages.html for information on hours and earnings and
www.iowaworkforce.org/trends/uiclaimscomo.html to obtain a breakout of jobless benefits by county.