Missouri’s July 2026 labor market data continues a strong trend. The state added jobs across nearly every sector, unemployment fell again, and year-over-year job growth reached its highest point in this series — nearly 30,000 positions added compared to July 2025. Here’s what the numbers show.
Missouri Unemployment Falls to 3.6%
Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 3.6 percent in July 2026, down one-tenth of a point from June and four-tenths of a point below the July 2025 rate of 4.0 percent. The state’s unemployment rate now sits half a percentage point below the national rate of 4.1 percent — a margin Missouri has held for more than 11 consecutive years.
The number of unemployed Missourians fell to 113,556 in July, down nearly 2,800 from June’s revised figure of 116,353. That marks the third consecutive month of meaningful declines in the unemployed population.
Missouri continues to lead the nation on broader workforce measures as well. The state’s labor force participation rate was 63.3 percent in July, 1.9 percentage points above the national rate of 61.4 percent. Missouri’s employment-population ratio of 61.0 percent outpaced the national figure of 58.9 percent by 2.1 percentage points.
Missouri Added 8,100 Jobs in July
Total nonfarm payroll employment reached 3,014,900 in July 2026, an increase of 8,100 jobs from the revised June figure. Private industry added 6,900 jobs and government employment contributed 1,200 jobs, all of which came from local government. Federal and state government employment were unchanged from June.
Private service-providing industries drove most of the monthly growth, gaining 6,500 jobs. Private education and health services led the way with 2,900 new jobs, followed by professional and business services (+1,100), other services (+1,000), trade, transportation, and utilities (+800), information (+400), and financial activities (+400). Leisure and hospitality was the only private service sector to decline, shedding 100 jobs.
Goods-producing industries added 400 jobs overall. Manufacturing gained 900 jobs while mining, logging, and construction declined by 500.
A Closer Look at the Year-Over-Year Picture
Compared to July 2025, Missouri’s total payroll employment is up by 29,400 jobs — the strongest year-over-year gain in this series. Private education and health services led all sectors with 9,200 jobs added over the year, followed by leisure and hospitality (+8,900), mining, logging, and construction (+6,900), professional and business services (+5,100), trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,100), and information (+800).
Manufacturing continued its year-over-year decline at -2,800 jobs, with other services (-1,200) and financial activities (-400) also posting losses. Government employment decreased by 200 jobs overall, as gains in local government (+4,300) were offset by declines in federal (-4,200) and state government (-300).
What This Means for Mid-Missouri
Missouri’s labor market is strengthening on nearly every front. Unemployment is falling, employment is growing, and year-over-year gains reflect broad-based momentum across industries. For job seekers, that means more doors are open. For employers, it reinforces the importance of connecting with workforce resources now.
The Central Workforce Development Region offers free services for job seekers and employers across 19 counties in mid-Missouri, including job matching, on-the-job training reimbursement, tax credits, and more. Visit cwdregion.com to learn more.
To view the full July 2026 Missouri Job Report, click here.
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