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“Significant economic obstacles lie ahead for the state, and the October jobs report offered further evidence the Iowa economy continues to be challenged,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development.

The statewide estimate of unemployed workers increased to 112,700 in October from 112,300 in September. One year ago, the state’s pool of unemployed workers was reported at 71,900.

The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,573,400 in October; 6,200 less than the prior month’s level of 1,579,600. One year ago, total employment stood at 1,604,900, which was 31,500 higher than the current figure.

Total nonfarm employment in Iowa increased by 2,300 in October, bringing the total to 1,479,200. Several of the super sectors showed signs of improvement this month. The service sectors in particular increased more than expected, adding 2,300. The good-producing sectors were unchanged, as losses in construction exactly offset the gains in durable goods manufacturing.

Education and health care added the most jobs in October, increasing by 2,000. Health care accounted for the majority of the gain, up 1,300 versus 700 for education. Professional and business services advanced by 900 this month with the temporary, blue-collar fields representing the major share of the gains. Other gains in October occurred in finance, up 700; government, up 700; leisure and hospitality, up 500; and manufacturing, up 500. On the other hand, trade and transportation dropped by 3,000, primarily due to heavy losses in retail trade.

Compared to October 2008, Iowa has lost 43,200 jobs, or 2.8 percent. In recent months, total nonfarm employment has shown some preliminary signs of recovery. Education and health continues to lead the over-the-year gains at 4,300. Manufacturing has shed more jobs than any other sector since last October, down 22,800, but has shown some signs of recovery since the July low of 196,000. Construction has shed 9,700 jobs, or 13.0 percent—the highest percentage of any sector. Other losses are reflected in professional and business services, down 7,900; and trade and transportation, down 4,900 since October 2008.

MEDIA ALERT: An audio cut of comments about Iowa’s labor market situation is available by calling (515) 281-6057. Local data for October can be accessed from the Web on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. Statewide labor force data for November will be released on December 18, 2009, followed by local labor force data on December 22, 2009.

Employment and Unemployment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data                     Change From   October 2009 September 2009 October 2008 September 2009 October 2008 Civilian Labor Force 1,686,200 1, 691,800 1,676,800 -5,600 9,400 Unemployment 112,700 112,300 71,900 400 40,800 Unemployment Rate 6.7% 6.6% 4.3% 0.1 2.4 Employment 1,573,400 1,579,600 1,604,900 -6,200 -31,500                 U.S. Employment Rate 10.2% 9.8% 6.6% 0.4 3.6             Nonfarm Employment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data             Total Nonfarm Employment 1,479,200 1,476,900 1,522,400 2,300 -43,200 Mining 2,100 2,100 2,100 0 0 Construction 64,700 65,200 74,400 -500 -9,700 Manufacturing 203,400 202,900 226,200 500 -22,800 Trade, Transportation and Utilities 303,500 306,500 308,400 -3,000 -4.900 Information 32,500 32,600 33,100 -100 -600 Financial Activities 103,300 102,600 102,700 700 600 Professional and Business Services 113,100 112,200 121,000 900 -7,900 Education and Health Services 212,300 210,300 208,000 2,000 4,300 Leisure and Hospitality 134,900 134,400 134,800 500 100 Other Services 55,800 55,200 57,700 600 -1,900 Government 253,600 252,900 254,000 700 -400

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.

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