U.S. Employment Exploration: Iowa

Known for its agricultural production output, Iowa nevertheless offers some job prospects in other fields, particularly manufacturing and service industries. Although the 26th largest state, it ranks only 30th in population, with approximately three million residents as of 2005. Population density stands at about 52 people per square mile versus about 80 for the national average.

Little-Known Facts

• The largest tractor manufacturing plant in the United States is in Iowa.
• Farms occupy nearly 90 percent of the state's land.
• Iowa produces the largest amount of ethanol in the United States.

Major Industries & Employers

The three major industries are agriculture, manufacturing and services. In agriculture, the top five revenue-producing products are corn for grain, hogs, soybeans, cattle and calves, and dairy products. The top three manufacturing areas are food processing, farm and construction machinery, and household appliances. In services, the top three are wholesale and retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and community, business, and personal services.

Statewide, major employers include Iowa Select Farms and Hy-Line International (agriculture); Rockwell Collins and Winnebago (manufacturing); Qwest Communications and EDS Resource Management (information technology); and Principal Financial Group and US Bank (finance/insurance). [Source: Iowalifechanging.com]

Employment & Unemployment

Aside from agriculture, your best bet for employment may be in one of the state's largest cities. In addition to Des Moines, the capital, and Cedar Rapids, the top five cities include Davenport, Sioux City, and Waterloo.

Much of the projected job growth for 2002-2012 is expected to come from the health care and service industries, including administrative and support services, educational services, and hursing and residential care facilities.

Growing occupations include medical assistants; network systems and data communications analysts; medical records and health information technicians; database administrators; computer software engineers, applications; and physician assistants. However, the largest number of new jobs is expected to come for home health aides, social and human service assistants, computer systems analysts, personal and home care aides, and computer operators.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July 2007 came in at 3.9 percent, statewide. Of course, this rate can vary significantly from one area to another. For example, rates for Iowa City, Des Moines/West Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) came in at 2.7, 3.0, and 3.4 percent, respectively (not seasonally adjusted). At the same time, Sioux City MSA's rate reached 3.8 percent.

Income & Cost of Living

Median household income in 2004 was approximately $43,000. Per capita income in 1999 came to about $20,000. Not surprisingly, wages and salaries show a fairly strong correlation with education level. For example, in a list of 2005 average wages requiring just high school diploma or GED, only employees in the category of sales reps whole and manufacturing (except technical and scientific products) earned more than $16 per hour, at about $25.

In contrast, individuals with postsecondary education/training or with a bachelor's degree or higher could earn from upwards of $20 per hour to more than $40 per hour in categories such as registered nurses, supervisors or managers of non-retail sales workers, sales managers, financial managers, and general and operations managers.

Almost 45 percent of occupations in Iowa will require postsecondary education or above. [Source: Iowaworkforce.org]

Iowa ranks about 16th overall for cost of living. Lower housing costs play a significant role in this ranking. Other factors include gas, groceries, health care, and car insurance. [Source: Smartcareermove.com]

Climate

Iowa typically has rainy spring seasons, warm-to-hot summers, and chilly-to-cold winters. Record high and low temperatures were 118 degrees and -47 degrees. Monthly average temperatures run from about 86 degrees to about 6 degrees.

Annual precipitation varies throughout the state, from around 25-28 inches in the northwest to as much as 36-38 inches in the southeast.

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