Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.8% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 5,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.
Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market rose by 15,691 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.8%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 109 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 90 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 3.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.2% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 269,400; +5,900
- Transportation & Utilities: 261,300; -2,400
- Business Services: 217,400; +2,700
- Government: 154,200; +2,100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 141,900; +3,100
- Manufacturing: 119,300; +3,600
- Financial Services: 97,600; +500
- Construction, Mining: 67,600; +900
- Other Jobs: 55,200; +200
- IT & Development: 28,300; -200
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.