Missouri unemployment rate ticks down in April

Missouri's unemployment rate was down slightly in April, according to data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8%, down from the revised 3.9% in March, according to a news release.

Missouri's nonfarm payroll ranks rose by 12,000 in April compared with March.

Increases included 7,500 jobs in professional and business services and 4,100 jobs in private education and health services.

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll ranks were 236,500 in April, a month-over-month increase of 200 jobs.

The MERIC report indicates the private workforce in the Springfield MSA in April was 206,300, with those workers making average weekly earnings of $841.05.