Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.0% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 5,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market declined by 1,029 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 69 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 210 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 10.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 270,900; +5,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 257,100; -2,000
  • Business Services: 210,600; +1,100
  • Government: 147,400; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 130,100; +1,000
  • Manufacturing: 115,500; -400
  • Financial Services: 87,300; -800
  • Construction, Mining: 72,100; -400
  • Other Jobs: 49,700; +200
  • IT & Development: 25,100; no change
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.