How many jobs were added in Ames, IA area last month?
Updated Apr. 14, 2026Refreshed annually
It gained 1,000 jobs in January 2026. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Ames, IA Metro Area has averaged about 58 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
+1K
month to month change in number of jobs (January 2026)
In the previous employment report on the Ames, IA area, there was a net loss of 200 in December 2025. The Ames, IA area job growth of 1,000 in January 2026 swung from a loss of 200 jobs in December 2025.
During the latest five-year period (February 2021 to January 2026), the Ames, IA area gained jobs in 29 out of 60 months. January 2026 had the fourth-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in June 2021 (+2,600) while job growth was weakest in May 2021 (-3,000).
There were 1,000 more jobs in January 2026 in Ames, IA area
Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the Ames, IA area
How does the Ames, IA area job growth in 2025 compare to previous years?
In 2026, the Ames, IA area has lost an average of 42 jobs every month. That's higher than the 2025 average monthly decrease of 142, and the lowest since 2025. The 2026 average ranks as sixth-worst in job growth since 2025.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 1,700 every month in 2025 to a gain of 2,200 every month in 2014.
In 2025, the Ames, IA area lost an average of 142 jobs every month.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the Ames, IA area, seasonally adjusted
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
