Overall unemployment rate moved down to 1.8% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.

Total employment in the Columbia, MO market rose by 109 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 1.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Columbia, MO unemployment rate is 156 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 60 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in November versus prior month by -4.8% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Columbia, MO Unemployment November 2022

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

  • Government: 29,600; +200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,500; +500
Columbia, MO Unemployment by Industry November 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.