Iowa jobless rate edges up in May

Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up to 4.4 percent in May from 4.3 percent in April. That's still lower than the 4.8 percent jobless rate recorded in May 2013.

The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 74,100 in May from 73,500 in April, according to Iowa Workforce Development. The current estimate is 5,900 lower than the year-ago level of 80,000.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,624,300 in May from 1,621,200 in April. The figure was 33,100 higher than a year ago.

Iowa nonfarm employment increased to 1,548,700 in May, an increase of 6,200 over April.

The gains were distributed among several sectors and included 800 jobs added in government at the state and local levels.

'Iowa's nonfarm employment continued to trend upward in May, as several sectors - financial activities, professional and business services, health care, and leisure and hospitality - reached all-time highs this month,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. 'Gains in the labor force and total employment provide further proof of increasing worker and business confidence in the state's expanding job market.”

Manufacturing added 1,100 jobs in May, marking the first monthly gain since December. Hiring was distributed between durable and nondurable goods factories.

Other gains in May included education and health services with 900 positions, construction with 800 jobs and financial activities with 800 positions.

On the flip side, losses were light and led by other services with 500 jobs, followed by trade and transportation with 200 positions and information with 100 jobs.

Iowa Workforce Development will release local jobless rates early next week.

The national unemployment rate remained at 6.3 percent in May.