Mo. unemployment rate climbs above national average

Though Missouri's unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a point month to month, the April unemployment rate rose above the national average.

The Show-Me State's jobless rate was 6.6 percent in April, according to a Missouri Department of Economic Development news release. The national rate fell four-tenths of a point to 6.3 percent last month. In March, the unemployment rates at the Missouri and U.S. levels matched at 6.7 percent.

During April, Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment grew by 8,200 jobs. Rising industries included construction, which added 2,400 jobs last month, leisure and hospitality, which rose by 2,000, and retail trade, where employers hired 1,900.

For the 12 months ended April 30, nonfarm payroll employment in Missouri grew by 38,800 jobs, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]