Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 2.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the St. Louis, MO-IL market rose by 11,131 jobs in March and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • St. Louis, MO-IL unemployment rate is 82 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 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 3.5% and are down 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 265,300; -5,500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 261,100; -200
  • Business Services: 220,000; +2,100
  • Government: 154,400; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 147,000; +5,800
  • Manufacturing: 119,200; no change
  • Financial Services: 96,500; -1,100
  • Construction, Mining: 68,700; +900
  • Other Jobs: 55,500; +200
  • IT & Development: 28,200; -200
St. Louis, 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.