(The Center Square) – Iowa’s unemployment rate for September is 3%, up slightly from 2.9% in August, according to figures released Thursday by Iowa Workforce Development.
The state lost 500 jobs from August to September, a trend that started in April, according to IWD.
The leisure and hospitality industry lost the most jobs in September – 1,100 – but the sector added 4,500 jobs since September 2022, according to IWD.
The numbers show another 1,000 jobs were lost in professional and business services in September.
“National economic uncertainty continues to impact sectors like leisure and hospitality and professional and business services, but other industries are continuing to hire,” said Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development. “If the warning signs turn out to be right, IWD will be well-positioned to match skilled workers with the employers who need them to grow. Through our Reemployment Case Management program, we have the right resources in the right place to help displaced workers find new careers as soon as possible.”
The construction industry gained 1,800 jobs in September. The “other” category increased by 800 jobs, with most of them coming from religious, grantmaking, civic and professional organizations, according to IWD.
During the past 12 months, Iowa gained 11,400 jobs. The education and health care sector gained 10,000.
Professional and business services shed the most jobs in the past year, with 8,200 jobs lost.
“Losses for this sector have been driven by declines in employment services for individuals and business services for firms,” IWD said in its news release.
The state’s unemployment rate was slightly higher a year ago at 3.1%.
