Small business drives Missouri employment

Nearly 75 percent of Missouri’s businesses employ fewer than 10 employees. Missouri reported 158,393 private businesses and 9,380 public businesses in 2004.

About 30 percent of Missouri’s 2.6 million workers are employed by medium-sized businesses, those that employ 10 to 49 people. Large businesses employing more than 250 people are responsible for about 26 percent of Missouri’s employment.

Businesses in the retail trade industry make up 14 percent of Missouri’s private sector, while 11.3 percent of private businesses are in the construction industry.

Retail trade and manufacturing make up 14.1 percent of the state’s employment. Health care and social assistance businesses account for 13.3 percent of Missouri’s work force, and accommodation and food services employ 10.1 percent.