Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 2,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market declined by 13,011 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 49 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 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 August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 264,400; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 252,200; +2,400
  • Business Services: 221,900; -500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 149,300; +900
  • Government: 130,200; -2,300
  • Manufacturing: 119,200; no change
  • Financial Services: 89,900; -300
  • Construction, Mining: 78,900; +500
  • Other Jobs: 52,100; -1,000
  • IT & Development: 26,100; -100
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.