Missouri’s unemployment rate improves for 2nd straight month

The Show-Me State’s unemployment rate is on a downswing.

Following four months of increases, the state’s jobless rate dropped to 5.1 percent in October. Last month, it fell further to 4.7 percent, according to a news release.

In November, Missouri employers grew nonfarm payroll ranks by 1,900 jobs, according to the state Department of Economic Development. That brought Missouri employment to a new record high of 2.8 million jobs.

The leading job-growth industries last month were accommodation and food services, at 3,700 jobs; construction, at 3,000; warehousing and utilities, at 1,300; and finance and insurance, at 1,200, according to the release. Offsetting industries included information, at a loss of 2,300, and manufacturing, at 1,300.

The DED’s unemployment data is seasonally adjusted.