Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 5,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market rose by 6,380 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 44 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 9.5% 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 February 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 266,900; -700
  • Education & Healthcare: 254,500; +5,400
  • Business Services: 213,400; +4,600
  • Government: 152,300; +900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 126,900; +200
  • Manufacturing: 117,400; +2,400
  • Financial Services: 89,000; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 67,700; -100
  • Other Jobs: 50,200; +100
  • IT & Development: 26,600; +500
St. Louis, MO-IL Unemployment by Industry February 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.