Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the Ames, IA market declined by 380 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Ames, IA unemployment rate is 148 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 110 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 8.8% and are equal compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Ames, IA Unemployment July 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -5.6%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 16,700; -1,000
Ames, IA Unemployment by Industry July 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on September 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.