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Iowa Job Market Cools: December Sees Employment Decline
Iowa’s labor market experienced a slight downturn in December 2025, with the state shedding 3,300 jobs, according to the latest data from Iowa Workforce Progress. While the unemployment rate remained stable, the decrease in employment signals a potential shift in the state’s economic landscape.
Employment Numbers in Detail
Iowa’s total nonfarm employment stood at 1,595,500 in December, a decrease from 1,598,800 in November Iowa Workforce Development. The most meaningful job losses were concentrated in the following sectors:
- Trade,Transportation,and Utilities: Down 2,700 jobs
- Manufacturing: Down 1,300 jobs
Unemployment and Labor Force Participation
Despite the job losses,Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.5% in December, mirroring the November rate. this figure represents a slight increase from the 3.3% unemployment rate recorded a year prior. The U.S. unemployment rate in December was reported at 4.4% by the Bureau of Labor Statistics bureau of Labor Statistics.
Notably, Iowa’s labor force participation rate continued its upward trend, reaching 67.7% in December, compared to 66.9% in December 20