Construction adds Missouri jobs in October

The seasonally adjusted rate was 5 percent – a tenth of a point higher than September’s 4.9 percent, but lower than the October 2004 rate of 5.8 percent, and equal to the national unemployment rate.

Nonfarm payroll employment dipped by 4,700 jobs, but claims of unemployment decreased in October, indicating overall employment is not falling.

Leisure and hospitality jobs contributed the most to the employment decrease and dropped for the second month in a row; most of the drop was attributed to high fuel costs cutting into travel. Seasonally adjusted employment in the industry is down by 11,800 since August.

Government jobs also were down, by 1,700.

Construction jobs increased by 3,900 as favorable weather conditions allowed highway construction to last longer than usual.

In the last year, educational and health services added the most jobs at 9,000, and professional and business services brought in 4,300 new jobs. Other areas that have added jobs include: durable goods manufacturing, 4,200; construction, 3,300; employment services, 2,500; wholesale trade, 2,100; and retail trade, 1,100.