Missouri's unemployment rate ticks down

Missouri's unemployment rate continued to drop in October amid the state's COVID-19 recovery, according to the latest data from the state.

The state's jobless rate last month was 3.7%, down from 3.8% in September, according to a news release from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. The data is seasonally adjusted.

During October, Missouri's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,500 jobs.

Among the increases, manufacturing gained 3,200 jobs, largely in durable goods, and the professional and business services industry was up by 2,800 positions.

"Total payroll employment increased by 72,300 jobs from October 2020 to October 2021, reflecting the recovery from COVID-19 related job cuts last year," officials said in the release.