Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL market rose by 204 jobs in March and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Cape Girardeau, MO-IL unemployment rate is 112 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Unemployment March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.5%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 6,400; -100
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.