Iowa Workforce Development

05/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/21/2026 08:17

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.3 Percent in April

Iowa's Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.3 Percent in April

Image

Iowa Workforce Development Communications
For Immediate Release
Date: May 21, 2026
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Telephone: 515-725-5487
Email: [email protected]

Printer Friendly Version of April 2026 Release (PDF) (172.97 KB) .pdf

Iowa's Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.3 Percent in April

DES MOINES, IOWA - Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was stable at 3.3 percent in April. The state's jobless rate was 3.6 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent in April.

The total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 57,200 in April from 58,100 in March.

The total number of working Iowans dropped to 1,677,900 in April. This figure is 2,800 lower than March and 3,400 higher than one year ago. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate decreased from 67.7 percent in March to 67.5 percent in April.

"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," said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. "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. Across the state, IowaWORKS.gov has nearly 55,000 open positions waiting for anyone who wants a new or better career."

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

In April, Iowa establishments gained 3,400 jobs, lifting total nonfarm employment to 1,580,300 jobs. This gain follows a small increase of 600 jobs in March after an upward revision. Private service providing industries gained 2,800 jobs to fuel the monthly increase. Goods-producing firms also increased (+600) with both construction and manufacturing industries increasing slightly. Government showed little change relative to March (+300). This sector continues to trail last year's mark (-1,500) while private industries have shed 13,600 jobs.

Accommodations and food services added the most jobs in April (+1,600). This sector is up 2,700 jobs since January. Both food service contractors and limited-service restaurants fueled this increase. Arts, entertainment, and recreational industries also increased slightly leading to an increase of 2,000 jobs in leisure and hospitality. Private education added 600 jobs in April following a similar gain in March. Manufacturing added 400 jobs. This sector had previously shed 1,200 jobs over the past two months. Durable goods factories were responsible for most of the April increase (+300). As far as losses go, retail trade led all sectors with 1,400 jobs shed since March. This sector showed little change over the prior two months. These losses were spread among multiple industries. Professional and business services shed 500 jobs. Professional, scientific, and technical services continued to fuel most of the decrease. This sector has steadily trended down over the past 12 months and is now down 2,700 jobs annually.

Over the past 12 months, Iowa has shed 15,100 jobs. Trade, transportation, and utilities combined are down 8,500 jobs. Trade industries, retail and wholesale trade combined, are down a combined 6,500 jobs with retail shedding most (-4,000). Transportation, warehousing, and utilities trails last year's mark by 2,000 jobs. Manufacturing has shed 3,800 jobs. Durable goods factories alone shed 2,400 jobs compared to 1,400 jobs pared by nondurable goods shops. The manufacturing sector has shown little change in employment since September. Leisure and hospitality is down 3,700 jobs since last April. Arts, entertainment, and recreational industries have lost the most jobs (-2,200) versus accommodations and food service industry losses (-1,500). On the positive side, health care and social assistance has gained the most jobs (+4,300). This sector has continued to trend upward and has added 4,700 jobs since September alone. Construction has gained 2,300 jobs since last April. This sector has shown signs of expansion stretching back to October of last year.

Employment and Unemployment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
Change from
April March April March April
2026 2026 2025 2026 2025
Civilian labor force 1,735,000 1,738,900 1,736,400 -3,900 -1,400
Unemployment 57,200 58,100 61,900 -900 -4,700
Unemployment rate 3.3% 3.3% 3.6% 0.0 -0.3
Employment 1,677,900 1,680,700 1,674,500 -2,800 3,400
Labor Force Participation Rate 67.5% 67.7% 67.8% -0.2 -0.3
U.S. unemployment rate 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 0.0 0.1
Nonfarm Employment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
Total Nonfarm Employment 1,580,300 1,576,900 1,595,400 3,400 -15,100
Mining 2,300 2,300 2,200 0 100
Construction 86,300 86,100 84,000 200 2,300
Manufacturing 214,300 213,900 218,100 400 -3,800
Trade, transportation and utilities 302,400 303,100 310,900 -700 -8,500
Information 17,500 17,400 18,000 100 -500
Financial activities 103,800 103,700 105,600 100 -1,800
Professional and business services 141,600 142,100 143,900 -500 -2,300
Education (private) 42,300 41,700 42,100 600 200
Health care and social assistance 205,000 204,700 200,700 300 4,300
Leisure and hospitality 141,600 139,600 145,300 2,000 -3,700
Other services 55,300 54,700 55,200 600 100
Government* 267,900 267,600 269,400 300 -1,500
* includes publicly owned education and health services
Data Above Subject to Change
Unemployment Insurance Claims for Iowa
% Change from
April March April March April
2026 2026 2025 2026 2025
Initial claims 5,572 7,665 7,963 -27.3% -30.0%
Continued claims
Benefit recipients 12,396 23,129 20,248 -46.4% -38.8%
Weeks paid 33,327 76,582 52,563 -56.5% -36.6%
Amount paid $17,934,788 $42,223,024 $27,862,791 -57.5% -35.6%

Local Data and Next Data Release

Media Alert: Local data for April 2026 will be available on the IWD website on Tuesday, May 27. Statewide data for May 2026 will be released on June 18, 2026.

Visit iowalmi.gov for more information about current and historical data, labor force data, nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and jobless benefits by county.

###

Secondary Navigation Menu

Iowa Workforce Development published this content on May 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 21, 2026 at 14:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]