Corridor, Iowa jobless rates edge up in September

Unemployment increased last month in the Corridor and the state of Iowa despite a seasonal increase in education jobs.

The jobless rate rose in Cedar Rapids metropolitan statistical area (MSA) to 4.4 percent in September from 4.2 percent in August, according to Iowa Workforce Development. The unemployment rate in the Iowa City MSA edged up to 3.2 percent last month from 3.1 percent in August.

Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.6 percent in September from 4.5 percent in August. Iowa's jobless rate was 4.5 percent a year ago.

Total nonfarm employment in the Cedar Rapids MSA gained 400 jobs from August and stands at 141,400. Employment is 200 above a year ago and 1,200 above September 2012.

Education added 1,800 jobs last month, but private service industries shed 1,400 jobs, including losses in leisure and hospitality (-1,200), professional and business services (-400), and retail trade, financial activities and other services (each dropping 100 jobs).

Leisure and hospitality has dropped 1,300 jobs from a year ago, but that may be partially due to an earlier-than-normal seasonal change.

Nonfarm employment in the Iowa City MSA increased 1,700 jobs from August and is up 1,800 from a year ago. The bulk of the over-the-month gain is in government (1,100) and is seasonal in nature.

Private service industries added 700 jobs. Goods producing industries shed 100 jobs.

Gains from September 2013 were in private service industries (2,000) and goods producing (400) with government partially offsetting those gains with a loss of 600 jobs.

Manufacturing employment in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City was unchanged last month. Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development, said global uncertainty has started to affect new orders and employment in Iowa's manufacturing sector.