Show-Me State unemployment rate holds steady

While Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment grew by 13,200 jobs last month, the July unemployment rate was flat at 6.5 percent compared to June.

According to a Missouri Department of Economic Development news release, July jobs gains included:

• 3,300 in durable goods manufacturing;
• 2,500 in construction;
• 2,300 in transportation, warehousing and utilities;
• 2,200 in educational services; and
• 1,100 in finance and insurance.

During the past 12 months, Missouri employers added 53,600 jobs, according to the release.

The U.S. unemployment rate increased a tenth of a point to 6.2 percent in July. The latest data for the Springfield metropolitan statistical area show a 5.7 percent jobless rate in June, up from 5.1 percent in May, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.