Missouri Released December Jobs Report

Missouri seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up another one-tenth of a percentage point in December from November. Missouri’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent for December. The December 2023 rate was six-tenths of a percentage point higher than the December 2022 rate. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 101,920 in December 2023, up by 991 from November 2023.

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment was 3,005,100 in December 2023, up 5,600 from the revised November 2023 figure. Private industry employment increased by 4,200 jobs and government employment increased by 1,400 jobs.

Goods-producing industries increased by 1,800 jobs over the month, with mining, logging, and construction gaining 1,400 jobs and manufacturing gaining 400 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 2,400 jobs between November 2023 and December 2023. Employment in private service-providing industries increased by 1,900 jobs in trade, transportation, and utilities; 1,400 in financial activities; 700 jobs in information; and 600 jobs for private education and health services. Employment decreased by 2,200 jobs in professional and business services. Total government employment increased by 1,400 jobs over the month.

Missouri’s labor force participation rate was 63.3 percent in December 2023, eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.5 percent. Missouri’s employment-population ratio was 61.3 percent in December 2023, 1.2 percentage points higher than the national rate of 60.1 percent. Missouri’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in December 2023, four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent. Missouri’s unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than eight years.