Mo. unemployment rate unchanged in May

Despite job gains, the state Department of Economic Development says the unemployment rate is flat.

Although Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 3,700 jobs in May, the state’s unemployment rate remained at 6.6 percent.

According to seasonally adjusted data released yesterday by the DED, unemployment in the state is above the national rate of 6.3 percent unemployed for the second straight month.

In May, the state DED said the greatest job gains were in administrative, support and waste management services, which cumulatively added 3,300 jobs. Other gains were noted in the leisure and hospitality sectors, a combined increase of 2,500 in the month, and in durable goods manufacturing, which gained 2,100 jobs.

According to the DED, Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment has grown by 42,000 jobs in the past year. In May 2013, the state’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent.