Missouri's May unemployment rate ticks up

The Show Me State's unemployment rate was up slightly in May, the latest data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center shows.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May was 4%, compared with 3.9% in April, according to a news release. Missouri's seasonally adjusted May 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7%.

Nonfarm payroll ranks statewide grew by 3,700 jobs in May compared with April. Goods-producing industries added 3,200 jobs over the month, with mining, logging and construction increasing by 2,200 and manufacturing gaining 1,000. Professional and business services, down 2,600 jobs, and information, down 1,100, were among offsetting industries.

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll ranks were 237,000 in May, a month-over-month decrease of 100 jobs, according to the release.

The MERIC report indicates the private workforce in the Springfield MSA in May was 206,300, with those workers making average weekly earnings of $830.45.