Missouri unemployment rate improves — but job numbers falter

Missouri’s unemployment rate fared better in September despite a drop in job numbers.

The Show-Me State’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate came to 3.8 percent, a dip from 3.9 percent in August, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Nonfarm payroll ranks declined by 10,500 last month, mostly due to losses in local government.

Local municipalities reported 11,000 less jobs in September. The figure was partially offset by:
    •    administrative and support services, at 3,500 jobs;
    •    accommodation and food services, at 2,500 jobs; and
    •    retail trade, at 2,300 jobs, among others.

In the latest reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate improved to 4.2 percent in September and the Springfield metropolitan statistical area jobless rate worsened to 3.6 percent in August. The BLS data is not seasonally adjusted.