Iowa Colleges and Universities: Career Education Programs

Both small and large businesses thrive in Iowa, due to the state's educated workforce, central location, advanced infrastructure, and abundant raw materials. Iowa's 1.6 million-strong workforce is concentrated in the trade, transportation, and utilities industry. Other popular industries in the state include government, manufacturing and educational and health services.

The state's most profitable companies are located mainly in larger cities such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City, although smaller cities have their own healthy economic climates and growth potential. Among the Fortune 500 companies located in Iowa are:

• Principal Financial
• Rockwell Collins
• Casey's General Stores
• HNI Corporation

This mix of financial, retail, and aerospace industries illustrates the variety of business and career opportunities available in Iowa. Residents enjoy an unemployment rate slightly lower than the national average, as well as growing career opportunities in the professional and business services industry.

Nationwide job growth in fields like information technology is expected to prompt similar improvements across Iowa. Salary.com reports that network administrators in Des Moines earn starting wages of about $45,500 annually, while network engineers earn entry-level wages of $53,000 on average.

Workers in the healthcare industry are expected to enjoy similar growth. In Des Moines, admitting managers earn $56,200 on average, while case managers earn an average of $55,100. Many current healthcare workers choose to pair their existing education with a business management degree, which can facilitate a move to the management level.

Sources:

• CNN Money
• Iowa Business
• Salary.com
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics