Iowa employers are less optimistic than they were just three months ago, according to the Hamilton Hiring Survey released today.

The survey looks at employer confidence and hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter – October through December – in Iowa, which results in an index number that represents respondents’ overall confidence for the next 90 days.

The Hamilton Hiring Index for the fourth quarter was 62, which is a five-point decline from a third-quarter index of 67. The index is based on a scale from 1 to 100.

The survey found that 40 percent of respondents were somewhat or very optimistic about job growth during the next quarter, down from 47 percent during the third quarter. 

Additionally, the survey showed that 40 percent of companies will not change the size of their work forces, while 38 percent said that they will add to their work forces. Most of the positions added will be split between midlevel and entry-level positions. Only 8 percent of new hires will be for senior-level positions.

The survey also showed that the number of Iowa companies that will reduce their work forces remained unchanged at 7 percent; those businesses plan to make cuts at all levels.