Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.9% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 5,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market rose by 5,492 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 99 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 170 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 8.7% 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 November 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 266,500; +5,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 259,800; -200
  • Business Services: 210,600; -700
  • Government: 147,700; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 128,600; -3,000
  • Manufacturing: 115,900; +600
  • Financial Services: 88,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 72,600; +300
  • Other Jobs: 49,500; +1,000
  • IT & Development: 25,200; -100
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.