Missouri unemployment stays the course

Missouri’s unemployment rate has now been at 3.6 percent for three months.

That’s according to the latest seasonally adjusted data from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, which puts May at 3.6 percent. Prior to that, the state’s jobless rate was 3.7 percent in February, according to a news release.

Comparatively, the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in May, meaning the Missouri figure has been below the national tally for 37 consecutive months.

In May, total nonfarm employment increased by a net 400 jobs statewide, a slight dip from the 500-job gain recorded in April, according to the release.

Private service-providing industries posted a 1,100-job gain, and local government was up by 1,000 jobs in May. Conversely, manufacturing dropped by 1,900 jobs.

During May, there were 2.9 million employed Missourians and 108,288 who were unemployed, according to the release.