Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Ames, IA market rose by 980 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.4%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Ames, IA unemployment rate is 139 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 90 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 12% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Ames, IA Unemployment August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 10.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 18,500; +1,800
Ames, IA Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.