Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 3.2% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 3,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market declined by 5,049 jobs in October and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 106 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 7.5% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 259,200; +2,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 259,100; +3,100
  • Business Services: 211,000; +2,700
  • Government: 148,400; +1,400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 130,900; -2,100
  • Manufacturing: 115,500; +100
  • Financial Services: 87,700; -700
  • Construction, Mining: 72,500; no change
  • Other Jobs: 48,700; +100
  • IT & Development: 25,100; no change
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.