Wisconsin and Iowa Among States With Largest Decrease in Job Openings

Anyone who has gone through the ringer of trying to find a job knows that getting a job is a job in itself. Job markets around the world have struggled throughout the last year due to inflation and widespread layoffs. According to the website Wealth of Geeks, there were 1.7 million fewer jobs available in October 2023 than there were in October 2022.

These numbers are especially concerning, but for two-thirds of the Tri-States, it's a major issue. The same website Wealth of Geeks looked at what states suffered the most precipitous decline in job opportunities in the last year. They analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and calculated percentages. They found that...

Wisconsin Had the Largest Fall in Job Openings:

• Wisconsin sees the largest fall in job openings from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, with a 33.59% decrease.
• Iowa has seen 34,000 less jobs available in Oct. 23 compared to Oct. 22.

Both Wisconsin and Iowa ranked in the bottom three for states with the largest fall in job openings, with Wisconsin losing the most on a year-to-year basis. Wisconsin's largest industries are agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism; three industries with physically demanding jobs that produce high stress levels and low pay as a result.

With 87,000 fewer jobs available in October 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, Wisconsin suffered mightily over the last year.

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Iowa's Job Market Suffered Greatly Too:

Iowa followed Wisconsin and California for the largest decline in job opportunities with a 28.81% decrease. That amounts to 34,000 fewer job openings in Iowa in October 2023 compared to October 2022. Iowa's biggest industries are healthcare and retail, both sectors that saw mass layoffs continues into 2024. The rise of online shopping has resulted in severe damage to retail stores, prompting many to close. In healthcare, the burnout and stress rates are real.

Times are Tough Out East (Indiana):

Indiana ranked just outside of the bottom five on this list, with the state showing signs of a sagging job market, although one not quite as bad as Wisconsin and Iowa:

Indiana is sixth on the list with a decrease of 23.50%. From October 2022 to October 2023, there were 47,000 fewer job openings in the state. Similarly to Arizona, Indiana produces electrical and transportation equipment alongside pharmaceuticals and medical devices and is the second-largest auto manufacturing state. While these industries require specialized education, they also employ office staff with a lower entry barrier. - per Wealth of Geeks

10 States That Experienced the Most Significant Decline in Jobs:

Find out more about this study on Wealth of Geeks' website.