How many jobs were lost in Des Moines, IA area last month?
Refreshed monthly
It lost 800 jobs in August 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area has averaged about 422 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
-800
month to month change in number of jobs (August 2026)
The Des Moines, IA area job loss of 800 in August 2026 was smaller than the 1,800 jobs lost in July 2026.
During the latest five-year period (September 2021 to August 2026), the Des Moines, IA area gained jobs in 39 out of 60 months. August 2026 had the 11th-lowest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in September 2022 (+4,400) while job growth was weakest in January 2024 (-2,700).
The Des Moines, IA area lost 800 jobs in August 2026.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the Des Moines, IA area
How has the Des Moines, IA area's job growth changed over time?
In 2025, the Des Moines, IA area has lost an average of 300 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly decrease of 67, and the lowest since 2020. The 2025 average ranks as third-worst in job growth since 2007.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a gain of 1,100 every month in 2023 to a loss of 767 every month in 2009.
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In 2025, the Des Moines, IA area lost an average of 300 jobs every month.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the Des Moines, 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.
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.
