Missouri job gains outpace losses in Q1

Missouri’s private sector gained more employees than it lost in the first quarter, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gross job gains statewide totaled 131,177 for the three-month period ending March 31, while losses totaled 124,222. The net gain was 6,955 jobs, according to a news release.

Missouri’s job gains exceeded losses in nine industry sectors, including leisure and hospitality, at a 3,279-job variance; education and health services, 2,076; and retail trade, 1,759.

However, two industry sectors in the Show-Me State recorded job losses that exceeded gains. Professional and business services had a net decrease of 1,747 jobs, and transportation and warehousing posted a net loss of 1,026 jobs, according to the release.

Nationwide, job gains in the private sector were 7 million in the first quarter, above losses of 6.8 million during the same time period a year ago. The net employment gain was 194,000 jobs during the period, the BLS reports.