July Job Numbers Released

According to seasonally adjusted data released today by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 2,100 jobs in July, reaching a new record high for the state with 2.816-million active jobs. July’s nonfarm payroll employment eclipsed April’s peak by 1,300 jobs and the pre-recession peak by 5,900 jobs.

The state’s unemployment rate for July edged up two-tenths of a point to 4.7 percent. For 26 consecutive months, the state’s monthly unemployment rate has been below the national rate, which held at 4.9 percent for July.

Following a large upward revision to June’s nonfarm payroll employment, Missouri’s employment level grew by 11,700 jobs between May and July. The largest private-industry employment growth between May and July occurred in durable goods manufacturing (+6,400 jobs), and leisure & hospitality (+4,400 jobs).