Missouri employers add thousands of jobs

While Missouri employers added thousands of jobs during May, the state’s unemployment rate was flat.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month came to 3.3%, which matched the figure from April, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

During May, Missouri employers increased the state’s nonfarm payroll ranks by 2,500 jobs. That’s down from 11,800 jobs added in April.

Increases last month were led by accommodation and food services employers, which added 2,600 jobs, and administration and support services, at 1,100. Decreases included construction, which lost 700 jobs, and professional, scientific and technical services, which also was down 700, according to the DED.

The U.S. unemployment rate for May was 3.6%, according to data that isn’t seasonally adjusted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The latest BLS data for the Springfield metropolitan statistical area show a 2.5% unemployment rate in April.