Missouri Employment Numbers Surge with 8,100 New Jobs in July

The state of Missouri saw a significant improvement in its employment numbers in July 2026. According to the latest report, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 8,100 jobs, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point from 3.7 percent in June 2026 to 3.6 percent in July 2026.

The private industry employment saw an increase of 6,900 jobs, while government employment rose by 1,200 jobs. This growth was largely driven by the private education and health services sector, which added 2,900 jobs, followed closely by leisure and hospitality with a gain of 8,900 jobs over the year.

The state's unemployment rate has been trending downward for months, and July 2026 marked a significant milestone as it dipped below 4 percent for the first time in over a year. Missouri's labor force participation rate also rose to 63.3 percent, surpassing the national average of 61.4 percent.

The report noted that total payroll employment increased by 29,400 jobs from July 2025 to July 2026, with the largest gains seen in private education and health services, leisure and hospitality, mining, logging, and construction, professional and business services, trade, transportation, and utilities, and information sectors.