JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri gained 15,000 jobs in April, bringing nonfarm payroll employment to a record high of 2,816,200. The previous record for nonfarm payroll employment was 2,810,700, reached in February 2008. Missouri’s unemployment rate for April edged up a tenth of a point over the month to 4.3 percent, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
For 23 months, the state’s unemployment rate has been below the national rate, which held at 5.0 percent for April.
Several industries grew in April with the largest gains occurring in Administrative, Support & Waste Management Services (+6,500 jobs) and Leisure & Hospitality (+7,200 jobs). Other growing industries for April included Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (+2,100 jobs), Financial Activities (+1,400 jobs), and Durable Goods Manufacturing (+1,000 jobs).
Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment has grown by 37,100 jobs over the past 12 months. Companies interested in learning more about Missouri’s resources for new and expanding businesses should visit www.ded.mo.gov<http://www.ded.mo.gov>.
