Labor Availability Analysis 2005
A
laborshed is defined as the area or region from which
an employment center draws its commuting workers. To determine
the approximate boundaries of the Des Moines, Iowa MSA
(Metropolitan Statistical Area) Laborshed, information
from local and state sources was aggregated and plotted
for geographic analysis. Customized industry specific
information is available upon request.
Contact
The Alliance office to request this information.
|
Greater
Des Moines Regional Benefit Profile - 2006
Iowa Employment by Sector - 2002
| Sector |
Percentage of
Iowa Non-farm Employment
|
| Other Services |
4.3% |
| Educational & Health Services |
14.2% |
| Manufacturing |
17.2% |
| Government |
18.5% |
| Trade/Transportation/Utilities |
23.1% |
| Construction |
4.9% |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate |
7.1% |
| Information |
2.7% |
| Professional
& Business Services |
8.0% |
| Natural
Resources & Mining |
.2% |
Source: 2003 Condition of Employment
Report, Iowa Workforce Development
Available Labor and Unemployment
Rate
|
Region |
Available
Labor Force |
Number
Employed |
Number
Unemployed |
Unemployment
Rate |
| United States
|
149,321,000 |
141,730,000 |
7,591,000 |
5.4% |
| State of Iowa
|
1,659,800 |
1,584,100 |
75,700 |
4.6% |
| Des
Moines Region (Polk, Dallas, Warren Counties) |
301,300 |
288,800 |
12,500 |
4.2% |
| Dallas County
|
29,200 |
28,200 |
100 |
3.3% |
Source: Labor Market Information
Bureau, Iowa Workforce Development, 2005
Participation Rate
Iowa has one of
the highest participation rates in the nation. In 1996, Iowa
was ranked fourth in the nation in female labor force participation,
and sixth
for male labor force participation.
| Category |
Iowa's
Participation Rate |
United
States Participation Rate |
| Total |
73.6% |
66.8% |
| Male |
79.0% |
74.9% |
| Female |
68.1% |
59.3% |
| Ages 16-19 |
72.2% |
52.3% |
Source: 1998 Condition of Employment
Report, Iowa Workforce Development
Wage Rates
|
Occupation |
Average
Wage |
Plant Manager |
$25.11 |
Machinist, General |
$13.78 |
Welder, Combination |
$13.08 |
Assembler, Product |
$
9.59 |
Packager, Machine |
$
9.95 |
Technician, Electric |
$15.37 |
Claim Examiner |
$16.43 |
Claim Adjuster |
$10.59 |
Computer Programmer |
$20.49 |
Truck Driver, Light |
$12.38 |
Telemarketer |
$
9.87 |
Secretary |
$10.89 |
Clerk, General Office |
$
9.33 |
Data Entry Operator |
$
8.22 |
Iowa Workforce Facts
| IOWA is a RIGHT-TO-WORK STATE |
·
Under Iowa law, Iowa
Code Chapter 731, an employee may not be required
to join a union or pay dues or fees to any labor union, association,
or organization, as a condition of employment. |
| Unemployment Insurance |
·
Iowa now has the lowest new employer Unemployment Insurance
rate in the nation. ·
The rate for all non-construction businesses is 1% (for
a taxable wage base of $14,200) for a three year period.
|
| Workers' Compensation |
·
The average cost of workers' compensation insurance for manufacturers
in Iowa is 30% lower than the national average. ·
Total costs (indemnity plus medical) of benefits per 100,000
workers is 56.9% of the national average, with only four
jurisdictions having lower total costs.
· Iowa ranks
47th lowest of the 51 jurisdictions in terms
of benefit costs per $100 of payroll.
· In 1995,
Iowa's workers' compensation rates decreased an additional
average of 10.6%. |
| Wage Rates |
·
Average wage scales in the region are an average of 4% lower
than the national average according to studies conducted by
William H. Mercer, Inc's 2000 Geographic Salary Differentials. |
| Value-added Labor |
·
According to the Annual Survey of Manufacturers, Iowans provide
$3.45 in value-added per dollar of labor, compared to the
United States average of $2.71. ·
Workers are described as extremely dependable, productive,
and cooperative. |
| Educated Workforce |
·
Iowa is ranked among the top five states for highest percentage
of students graduating from high school. ·
84% of Iowa students graduate from high school. |
Note: The data contained
in this table are from various public sources and
subject to change.
Trends
| Economy |
· Strong,
with job markets candidate driven. ·
Iowa's 1997 Gross State Product grew 5%, outpaced the nation
and the region. |
| Population |
· Since 1990,
Iowa's population has grown by 92,582 inhabitants.
· Greatest
increase in Iowa population will come from immigrants.
|
| Labor Force |
· Since 1990,
labor force size has increased 9%, an estimated 1,577,200
workers. ·
Female labor force participation rate is not expected to
increase.
· In Iowa
there is a strong population shift into the older working
age of 45 to 64 years.
· High unemployment
rate for disabled persons. |
| Wages |
· Increasing
due to increased hourly wages, increased number of hours worked
and demand for workers. ·
Average Weekly Wage: $430
· Iowa's
total personal income is projected to grow by 6.8% in 1998,
6.0% in 1999 and 6.4% in 2000. |
| Employers |
· With unemployment
rates so low, employers are experiencing a shortage of workers.
· Tapping
into underutilized sources of labor
· Training
underutilized labor at their own expense |
| Fastest Growing
Occupations |
· Nationally
the occupations expected to grow the fastest include: technicians,
service workers, professional workers, sales workers, and
managers. ·
In Iowa the occupations expected to grow the fastest are
professional, paraprofessional, and technical jobs.
|
| Manufacturing |
· Skilled
jobs are not disappearing. ·
Advanced technologies are eliminating high-paying jobs for
unskilled workers. |
| Service Sector |
· Fastest
growing employment sector due to aging baby boomers and manufacturing
firms outsourcing. ·
83% of U.S. workforce will be in service sector by 2020.
|
| Technology |
· New technology
continues to create new jobs. ·
Technology continues to improve quality of jobs in U.S.
· Physical
presence of companies will become increasingly irrelevant
and 10% of jobs will involve telecommuting by 2002.
|
| Skills Required |
· Ability
to understand and use technology on the job. ·
Required skills in future will demand some post-secondary
education.
· In many
cases a minimum of one year or more of technical training
will be needed. |
| Education |
· One in four
students that go to college right out of high school graduates
within six years. ·
27 is the average age of a person entering an apprenticeship
program.
· Iowa encourages
school-to-work and apprenticeship programs. |
| Community Colleges |
· Iowa encourages
partnerships between community colleges and employers.
· Community
colleges are developing Accelerated Career Education Programs.
|
Sources: 1998 Condition
of Employment Report, Iowa Workforce Development
Community Economic Developer Guide, Workforce Development, 10/98
Skills 2000 Commission Report, February 1999
Iowa Economy, News & Trends
|
|
