Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 13,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market rose by 6,675 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 126 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 240 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 5.9% and are down 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 September 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 257,800; +1,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 255,400; +4,000
  • Business Services: 208,600; +100
  • Government: 147,000; +13,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 132,300; -5,400
  • Manufacturing: 115,600; +500
  • Financial Services: 88,500; -1,700
  • Construction, Mining: 71,900; -1,300
  • Other Jobs: 48,700; -100
  • IT & Development: 25,000; -400
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry September 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.