Des Moines sees dramatic job shifts toward warehousing
Even with the pandemic, employment in the Des Moines metro grew 1.4% involving February 2019-2022, in accordance to a labor examination by Iowa Point out economics professor Peter Orazem.
Certainly, but: That progress masks a massive transfer of jobs between sectors — notably a steep work drop for Des Moines’ leisure and hospitality market, Orazem mentioned.
Why it issues: It alerts a slower recovery for neighborhood places to eat, bars and resorts as they contend with other rapid-escalating industries, like e-commerce, for every Orazem.
State of participate in: Des Moines’ sector share of warehouse and “Amazon delivery-style positions” has considerably enhanced because 2019 — leaping by approximately 26% in comparison to the state’s marginal increase of 3.5%, stated Orazem, who examined per cent improve.
- In comparison, warehousing positions increased by more than 15% nationwide.

The intrigue: “Since Des Moines is at the juncture of two significant interstates, it can be in a fantastic situation for warehousing and transportation,” according to Orazem.
In the meantime, the cafe and hospitality industry in Des Moines suffered the finest losses — with a 4.3% alter because 2019.
- Nevertheless, Iowa did not go through as much as the relaxation of the state. The point out as a entire only observed a 3% drop. In comparison, the nation’s leisure and hospitality dropped a whopping 8% mainly because of their stricter principles, Orazem claimed.
- The spots that endured worst — like Iowa Metropolis and Cedar Rapids — rely on athletics, which had been limited in 2020.
Other sectors of interest: Economic things to do, which features banking and insurance coverage, did not increase as swiftly in Des Moines in comparison to the nation — 1.3% vs. 3.2%
- But people industries previously have a solid presence in the metro, that means progress will be more marginal.
The bottom line: Des Moines’ employment is realigning as the pandemic alterations how we shop.
- “And that is heading to make it a lot more difficult as the leisure and hospitality industry comes again,” Orazem said.