Missouri's unemployment rate stays steady in August

Missouri labor market conditions were relatively unchanged in August, according to a Sept. 25 release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The states seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 5.6 percent, while nonfarm payrolls grew slightly according to the DED.

The nations seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also remained essentially unchanged, decreasing by only one-tenth of a percent to 6.1 percent, however, total nonfarm payroll decreased by 93,000 jobs in August.

Missouris not-seasonally-adjusted un-employment rate has held steady over the last three months at 5.8 percent. At the national level, the unemployment rate has continued to fall over the last three months to 6 percent in August.

The estimated number of employed Missourians was 2,812,000, while unemployment was 167,000, both virtually the same as in July.

The following Missouri counties reported the lowest unemployment rates: Nodaway at 2.1 percent and Boone at 2.4 percent. Missouri cities and counties reporting double-digit unemployment rates were Hickory County at 10.1 percent; Wayne County at 10.2 percent, Reynolds County at 10.4 percent, St. Louis City and New Madrid County each at 11 percent; Pemiscot at 11.3 percent and Linn at 12.1 percent.

The number of nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 4,400 on a seasonally adjusted basis between July and August. Construction; trade, transportation, and utilities; educational and health services; and government all experienced increases of more than 1,000 jobs. On balance, these more than offset the decreases that occurred in other industry groups, including manufacturing (-400), information (-500), financial activities (-1,100), leisure and hospitality (-600), and other services (-1,500).

Over the past year, employment has decreased by 31,200 jobs, or 1.2 percent. (These data are not seasonally adjusted, to allow more detailed industry comparisons.) In private industries other than manufacturing, the decrease has been somewhat smaller: 17,500 or 0.9 percent. Although most industries report fewer jobs now than a year ago, there are some industries that have experienced growth.

Since August 2002, employment in private educational services increased by 5,300; construction added 2,400; food manufacturing increased by 1,900, wholesale trade, particularly electronics and nondurable goods each added 1,500; accounting and related services added 1,600; health care and social assistance increased by 2,900; amusement, gambling and recreation added 1,600; food services and drinking places is up by 2,600; and religious, grant-making, civic and professional organizations added 2,400 jobs.