Missouri continued to add jobs in August 2026 as the state’s unemployment rate declined to 3.5 percent.
According to the August 2026 Missouri Jobs Report, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,100 jobs during the month. Compared with August 2025, Missouri has added 34,100 jobs.
The latest numbers also show continued growth across several industries, including education and health services, leisure and hospitality, construction, transportation, and professional services.
Missouri Adds 2,100 Jobs in August
Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment reached 3,015,700 in August 2026, an increase of 2,100 jobs from the revised July figure.
Private industry drove the monthly growth, adding 2,400 jobs. Government employment decreased by 300 jobs.
Goods-producing industries added 1,200 jobs during the month. Mining, logging, and construction gained 2,200 jobs, while manufacturing employment decreased by 1,000 jobs.
Private service-providing industries also added 1,200 jobs.
Which Missouri Industries Added Jobs?
Several private service industries recorded employment gains between July and August.
Trade, transportation, and utilities led the group with 1,100 additional jobs. Other services added 600 jobs, followed by financial activities and leisure and hospitality with 200 jobs each. Private education and health services added 100 jobs.
Information employment declined by 700 jobs, while professional and business services declined by 300 jobs.
Government employment decreased by 300 jobs overall, with local, state, and federal government each declining by 100 jobs.
Missouri Adds 34,100 Jobs Over the Year
The longer-term picture shows broader employment growth.
Missouri added 34,100 jobs between August 2025 and August 2026.
Private education and health services and leisure and hospitality recorded the largest gains, each adding 9,100 jobs.
Mining, logging, and construction added 8,900 jobs. Trade, transportation, and utilities and professional and business services each gained 4,700 jobs.
Financial activities added 400 jobs, while information added 100.
Manufacturing employment decreased by 500 jobs over the year, and other services declined by 400 jobs.
Government employment decreased by 2,000 jobs compared with August 2025. Federal government employment declined by 4,200 jobs, while local government added 1,900 jobs and state government added 300 jobs.
The Workforce Link Podcast offers forward thinking conversations for the workforce, linking employers and job seekers to a brighter tomorrow. Check out the details here…
Missouri Unemployment Falls to 3.5%
Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 3.5 percent in August, down from the revised July rate of 3.6 percent.
The rate is also half of a percentage point lower than it was in August 2025, when unemployment stood at 4 percent.
The estimated number of unemployed Missourians decreased from 113,537 in July to 112,415 in August, a decline of 1,122 people.
Missouri’s not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent in August. The corresponding national rate was 4.3 percent.
Missouri Continues to Outpace National Workforce Measures
Missouri remained ahead of national averages across several key workforce measures in August.
The state’s labor force participation rate was 63.3 percent, compared with the national rate of 61.6 percent.
Missouri’s employment-population ratio was 61 percent, compared with 59.1 percent nationally.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent was also below the national rate of 4.1 percent. Missouri’s unemployment rate has remained at or below the national rate for more than 11 years.
Connecting Mid-Missouri Job Seekers and Employers
The August 2026 Missouri Jobs Report shows continued employment growth across several sectors while unemployment moves lower.
For job seekers, changing industry demand can create opportunities to explore new careers, strengthen skills, or connect with employers that are hiring. For businesses, workforce data can help provide context as they recruit, retain, and develop employees.
The Central Workforce Development Region serves 19 counties across mid-Missouri, connecting job seekers and employers with workforce services, training opportunities, hiring support, and other resources.
Job seekers and employers can connect with Job Centers and satellite locations across mid-Missouri or learn more about available services at cwdregion.com.
To view the full August 2026 Missouri Job Report, click here.
Employers, need help finding talent? We’d love to help! We have several options available.