Iowa is entering the fourth quarter of 2025 with some worrisome trends: The number of Iowans who are unemployed has steadily increased since the start of the year. Iowa’s finance and insurance sector has shed nearly 2,000 jobs in the past 12 months and the manufacturing sector, 5,400 jobs. Recent college graduates are having a difficult time landing their first jobs.

Bright spots exist, though. Iowa’s labor force participation rate is increasing. Demand remains high for health care providers. Emphasis on career and technical education is increasing in Iowa’s high schools.

At our Jobs Outlook, a panel of leaders who will help us look at what the job market in 2026 might bring. 

Panelists included:

Ben Ayers, senior economist, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

Tessa Brow, director, career services, Iowa State University

Jamie Carlson, chief human resources officer, The Iowa Clinic

Kathy Joblinske, market principal, Manpower

Steven Schappaugh, executive director of secondary education, West Des Moines school district

Georgia Van Gundy, deputy director, Iowa Workforce Development

Watch the video