Missouri’s unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent in May, and total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 400 jobs.
Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been 3.6 percent since March and was 3.7 in May 2017.
The estimated number of employed Missourians was 2,937,194 in May, while the number unemployed was 108,288. The jobless total has been edging down since January.
For comparison, the seasonally adjusted U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in May. Missouri’s unemployment rate has now been below the corresponding U.S. figure for 37 consecutive months.
Missouri nonfarm payroll employment changed little in May, the second straight month to show relatively flat employment.
Total nonfarm payroll employment was up by 400 jobs, following a 500-job gain reported in April.
Gains and losses were reported in individual industries in May. Private service-providing industries reported a net gain of 1,100 while manufacturing showed a net loss of 1,900. Local government employment was up by 1,000 in May.
Over the past year, total nonfarm payroll employment in Missouri has grown by 34,300 (+1.2%). Professional and business services employment added 12,500 jobs over the year, with health care and social assistance adding another 8,000. Trade, transportation, and utilities employment was up by 6,900 jobs over the year, while construction employment was down by 1,500.