Missouri’s June 2026 labor market data includes a milestone worth noting: total nonfarm payroll employment crossed the 3 million mark for the first time, reaching 3,000,900 jobs. Paired with a declining unemployment rate and strong year-over-year job growth, the numbers paint an encouraging picture for workers and employers across the state.
Missouri Unemployment Falls to 3.7%
Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 3.7 percent in June 2026, down one-tenth of a point from May and three-tenths of a point below the June 2025 rate of 4.0 percent. The state’s unemployment rate now sits half a percentage point below the national rate of 4.2 percent — a gap Missouri has maintained for more than 11 consecutive years.
The number of unemployed Missourians fell to 116,365 in June, a drop of nearly 3,000 from May’s revised figure. That continued decline reflects meaningful movement of workers into employment.
Missouri also continues to outpace the nation on broader workforce measures. The state’s labor force participation rate was 63.3 percent in June, 1.8 percentage points above the national rate of 61.5 percent. Missouri’s employment-population ratio of 61.0 percent exceeded the national figure of 59.0 percent by two full percentage points.
Missouri Added 1,300 Jobs in June
Total nonfarm payroll employment reached 3,000,900 in June 2026, an increase of 1,300 jobs from the revised May figure. Private industry added 1,400 jobs while government employment declined slightly by 100 jobs.
Goods-producing industries led monthly growth, adding 2,600 jobs. Manufacturing gained 1,500 jobs and mining, logging, and construction added 1,100. Within private service-providing industries, professional and business services (+1,000), financial activities (+600), trade, transportation, and utilities (+300), and information (+100) all posted gains. Other services (-1,400), private education and health services (-1,300), and leisure and hospitality (-500) declined over the month.
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A Closer Look at the Year-Over-Year Picture
Compared to June 2025, Missouri’s total payroll employment is up by 18,700 jobs — the strongest year-over-year gain of any month covered in this series so far. Growth was broad-based, with mining, logging, and construction leading at +8,400, followed by leisure and hospitality (+7,900), trade, transportation, and utilities (+4,000), private education and health services (+3,800), professional and business services (+1,800), and information (+600).
Manufacturing declined by 4,000 jobs year-over-year, and other services fell by 2,100. Government employment decreased by 400 jobs overall, with local government adding 4,700 jobs while federal (-4,500) and state government (-600) posted losses.
What This Means for Mid-Missouri
Crossing the 3 million jobs threshold is a significant moment for Missouri’s workforce — and the broader trend lines support optimism. Year-over-year job growth is accelerating, unemployment continues to fall, and Missouri’s workforce participation remains well above national norms.
For job seekers and employers across mid-Missouri, that means opportunity. The Central Workforce Development Region offers free services across 19 counties, including job matching, on-the-job training reimbursement, tax credits, and more. Visit cwdregion.com to learn more.
To view the full June 2026 Missouri Job Report, click here.
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