In March, there were approximately 182,200 nonfarm payroll jobs in the Quad Cities metro area, which was about 1,700 jobs fewer than the 183,900 jobs in March 2025 (not seasonally adjusted).

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the metro area gained approximately 900 jobs since the end of the fourth quarter.

In March, the unemployment rate in the metro area was 4.8%, which was up from 4.6% in March 2025. County unemployment rates in the metro area ranged from 3.8% in Scott County to 5.8% in Henry County. For comparison, the statewide unemployment rate in Iowa was 3.3% in March. The statewide unemployment rate for Illinois (excluding the Chicago area) was 4.3%. (Unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.)

Unemployment rates during the quarter remained slightly higher than a year ago. Payroll employment has been running behind figures from a year ago. One notable exception to the decrease in employment in the region is mining, logging, and construction. (This is mostly construction employment in the Quad Citie area.) This category of employment stood at 11,900 in April which was the highest level since this series began in 1991. See our Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators blog for regular updates on the Quad Cities employment situation.