DES MOINES — Iowa’s unemployment rate in February was unchanged from January at 3.7% amid modest job growth across many private industries.
Iowa Workforce Development says Iowa employers trimmed about 1100 jobs during the month, which ends a streak of job gains that started in November. February’s loss was fueled in part by weak seasonal hiring at state government universities. Collectively, government shed 3400 jobs in February after a gain of 2900 the previous month. Private industry added 2300 jobs with most of those gains within service industries.
Healthcare and social assistance added 800 jobs in February to lead all sectors. This sector has also added jobs in five consecutive months with 3700 jobs gained over that period. Private education increased by 700 jobs since January, with that sector adding 1100 jobs so far in 2025. Manufacturing added 500 jobs, primarily related to food production and animal processing.
The 3.3% unemployment rate in February is up from 2.7% one year ago. The U-S unemployment rate increased to 4.1% in February.
