Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA market declined by 218 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 39 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA unemployment rate is 45 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 3.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Unemployment March 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 19,200; -300
  • Manufacturing: 16,600; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,600; no change
  • Government: 13,400; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 7,100; no change
  • Business Services: 6,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 4,300; no change
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Unemployment by Industry March 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 27, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.