Department of Numbers

Ames, Iowa Job Growth

There were 54,600 jobs in Ames, Iowa in May 2023 according to the CES survey of employers. The CPS survey of households showed 59,048 employed persons for the month. Ames added 500 jobs in May 2023 according to the CES survey while the broader CPS measure of employment rose by 275 (Comparing CES and CPS employment numbers.). You can also compare Ames job growth to job growth in other cities.

Employment Survey May 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
CES 54,600 +500 +1,000
CPS 59,048 +275 +1,644

Note: The CPS survey data is now seasonally adjusted at the metropolitan level by with the new BLS SSA series.

Ames, Iowa Employment Changes

The charts below show the monthly job growth for Ames as measured by the CES and CPS surveys. To illustrate the trend, the 3 month moving average change in employment is shown in green.

CES Employment Change: 1 Month, Rolling 3 Month

CPS Employment Change: 1 Month, Rolling 3 Month

Total Employment for Ames, Iowa

CES employment for Ames peaked in January 2020 at 55,200. Since then 600 jobs have been lost in Ames according to the employer survey. From a trough of 46,800 in May 2020, Ames has gained 7,800 jobs according to CES employment figures.

CPS employment in May 2023 for Ames is at a new high of 59,048.

Employment: CES, CPS

CES and CPS employment chart through May 2023

Ames, Iowa Employment History

Date CES
Employment
CES
Month/Month
CPS
Employment
CPS
Month/Month
May 2023 54,600 500 59,048 275
April 2023 54,100 -200 58,773 -45
March 2023 54,300 100 58,818 29
February 2023 54,200 0 58,789 49
January 2023 54,200 -100 58,740 411
December 2022 54,300 500 58,329 -17
November 2022 53,800 -100 58,346 45
October 2022 53,900 300 58,301 218
September 2022 53,600 200 58,083 266
August 2022 53,400 -500 57,817 227
July 2022 53,900 100 57,590 136
June 2022 53,800 200 57,454 50