Iowa jobless rate edges lower, employment at high for year

Iowa's unemployment rate edged down to 4.6 percent in May from 4.7 percent in April as total employment also rose to its highest level for the year.

Iowa Workforce Development on Friday reported 1,576,800 Iowans were working in May, up from 1,571,000 in April and 1,553,700 in May 2012. Iowa's nonfarm jobs grew by 5,300 in May, the largest monthly total reported so far this year.

The statewide estimate of unemployed residents fell to 76,800 in May from 77,600 in April. The May figure represented a decline of 10,400 from 87,200 seeking employment in May 2012.

"The Iowa job market picked up momentum in May, as businesses added more jobs than anticipated," said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development.

May's growth in nonfarm jobs was largely fueled by hiring in professional and business services (+3,000), construction (+2,200), trade and transportation (+1,400), and finance (+1,000).

Although manufacturing posted a loss of 400 jobs for May, Iowa Workforce Development expects the reviving housing market to add jobs in building-related manufacturing.