Missouri's workforce grows in September, data shows

With a flat unemployment rate, the Show Me State recorded a net gain in its workforce during September, according to the latest report from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in September at 4.1% compared with August, according to a news release. The month's jobs report was delayed due to the federal government shutdown.

On a month-over-month basis, Missouri added 18,300 jobs to bring nonfarm payroll employment statewide to over 3 million.

Industries with increases included professional and business services, with 4,400 jobs added; manufacturing, at 1,800; and trade, transportation and utilities, at 1,100. Offsetting industries included a 3,500-job decrease in private education and health services and 1,300-job dip in mining, logging and construction, according to the release.

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll ranks were 239,500 in September, a month-over-month increase of 400 jobs.

The MERIC report indicates the private workforce in the Springfield MSA in September was 205,700, with those workers making average weekly earnings of $817.24.