DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — The number of unemployed Iowans rose over the past month, according to the new monthly jobs report from Iowa Workforce Development. New hires have been unable to counteract federal layoffs by the Trump administration, private sector dismissals, and reduced levels of temporary staffers.
A national survey by the University of Michigan recently showed that consumers are increasingly pessimistic about the future with respondents expressing the second worst level of confidence in nearly 75 years.
Overall, the state’s unemployment rate climbed from 3.3% in February to 3.4% in March. The nation’s unemployment rate also rose from 4.1% in February to 4.2% in March.
The report stated that Iowa had 11,800 fewer people working in March compared to one year ago.
- March 2024 nonfarm employment: 1,604,100
- March 2025 nonfarm employment: 1,592,300
Here are the industries that lost jobs over the past year:
- Mining: -100
- Construction: -4,200
- Manufacturing: -800
- Financial activities: -1,400
- Professional and business services: -5,000
- Leisure and hospitality: -1,500
These sectors gained jobs over the past year:
- Trade, transportation, and utilities: +500
- Education and health services: +4,900
- Other services: +1,000
- Government: +2,300
The report showed that the state’s labor participation rate of 67% remained the same from the previous month and compared to the past 12 months.
“March’s report shows increased hiring in key industries such as construction, transportation, and healthcare, while other areas with more temporary workers pulled back,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development.
Townsend pointed to the number of posted job openings in the state. Those could provide opportunities for the unemployed if their skill set, employer demands, wage requirements, and geographic location align.
“There remains over 50,000 open jobs in Iowa, and the IowaWORKS career planners and Reemployment Case Management team can help Iowans who are looking for work find available jobs and learn how to best position themselves in a competitive job market.”
About the author: Midwest native Dave Price is Gray Television’s Iowa Political Director for nine stations that broadcast in the state and has been covering local, state and national politics from Iowa since 2001.
Dave produces and hosts “Inside Iowa Politics,” a weekly, in-depth show focused on interviews with top leaders on politics, issues, challenges and solutions that impact the state.
He has written two books about the Iowa Caucuses (“Caucus Chaos” and “Caucus Chaos Trump”). Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on X (Twitter): @idaveprice Meta/Facebook: DavePriceNews Instagram: idaveprice and LinkedIn: Dave Price.
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