Missouri’s labor market showed steady improvement in May 2025, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing by 3,700 jobs Missouri’s labor market showed steady improvement in May 2025, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing by 3,700 jobs and the unemployment rate ticking up slightly to 4 percent. According to the latest data from the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, both the private and public sectors contributed to the monthly gains.
Let’s break down the employment and unemployment numbers across the state.
Employment Trends in Missouri – May 2025
As of May 2025, nonfarm payroll employment in Missouri stood at 3,002,300, marking a monthly increase of 3,700 jobs from the revised April figure. April 2025 estimates were also revised upward by 4,000 jobs, showing stronger growth than initially reported.
Goods-producing industries added 3,200 jobs, driven by growth in mining, logging, and construction (+2,200 jobs) and manufacturing (+1,000 jobs).
Private service-providing industries rose by 400 jobs. Key contributors included trade, transportation, and utilities (+2,000 jobs), leisure and hospitality (+1,300 jobs), education and health services (+1,000 jobs), and financial activities (+200 jobs). These gains were offset by losses in professional and business services (-2,600 jobs), information (-1,100 jobs), and other services (-400 jobs).
Government employment increased by 100 jobs. Local government added 2,000 jobs, while state government fell by 1,300 and federal government by 600.
Year-over-Year Trends
From May 2024 to May 2025, Missouri added 10,900 jobs overall. The largest gains occurred in private education and health services (+17,600 jobs), mining, logging, and construction (+2,900 jobs), and other services (+1,200 jobs).
The most significant year-over-year losses were in professional and business services (-4,800 jobs), leisure and hospitality (-4,300 jobs), information (-3,200 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,000 jobs), manufacturing (-600 jobs), and financial activities (-100 jobs).
Government employment grew by 5,200 jobs over the year, driven by increases in local government (+4,600 jobs) and state government (+2,200 jobs). Federal government employment decreased by 1,600 jobs.
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Missouri’s Unemployment Rate – May 2025
Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4 percent in May 2025, up from 3.9 percent in April and 3.7 percent in May 2024. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 125,042, an increase of 944 individuals compared to April.
The not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also rose slightly, from 3.8 percent in April to 3.9 percent in May. A year ago, the rate stood at 3.7 percent. Nationally, the not-seasonally adjusted rate for May 2025 was 4 percent.
Missouri vs. National Labor Force Trends
Missouri continues to outperform national averages in key labor force indicators. In May 2025, Missouri’s labor force participation rate was 63.4 percent, compared to the national rate of 62.4 percent. The state’s employment-population ratio stood at 60.9 percent, while the national figure was 59.7 percent.
Missouri’s unemployment rate of 4 percent was two-tenths of a percentage point below the national average of 4.2 percent. The state has maintained an unemployment rate at or below the national rate for more than a decade, highlighting its sustained labor market resilience.
The May 2025 Missouri Jobs Report shows a state economy that continues to move in a positive direction. Despite a slight increase in unemployment, job growth in key sectors like construction, education, health care, and local government points to long-term economic stability. As Missouri adapts to ongoing labor market shifts, continued investment in workforce development will be essential to support job seekers and employers alike.
To view the full May 2025 Missouri Job Report, click here.
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