Missouri unemployment rate continues to shrink

Missouri’s unemployment rate shrunk in March, marking the sixth-straight month of decreases.

Last month’s jobless rate was 3.9 percent, a dip from 4.1 percent in February, according to a news release. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate began falling in October.

Despite the unemployment rate improvement, the Show-Me State’s nonfarm payroll ranks declined by 13,400 positions to 2.87 million in March from 2.88 million in February.

Industries with losses included:
    •    mining, logging and construction, down 3,600 jobs
    •    trade, transportation and utilities, down 3,600;
    •    education and health services, down 3,200;
    •    leisure and hospitality, down 3,100; and
    •    professional and business services, down 1,300.

Offsetting industries included manufacturing, which was up by 1,900 jobs, and financial activities, which increased by 900, according to the release.