Posted 24 April, 2026
Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in February, the same as in January and down slightly from 3.5 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent in February.
The total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 58,700 in February from 59,100 in January.
The total number of working Iowans dropped to 1,682,900 in February. This figure is 1,600 lower than January and 11,800 higher than one year ago. The state’s labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 67.9 percent in January to 67.8 percent in February.
“February’s report contains a few bright spots as well as evidence of some general tightening in sections of Iowa’s economy,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Accommodations and food services led all hiring in February, while the construction sector grew for its fourth straight month. Meanwhile, health care and social assistance has 3,200 more jobs than it did last year. Over 53,000 open positions are still available on IowaWORKS.gov for any Iowan in search of a new role or a better career.”