Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 6,600 jobs in April 2025, according to the latest Monthly Jobs Report from the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.9 percent, up from 3.8 percent in March.
The decline in employment was driven by a 6,900-job loss in the private sector, while government employment saw a modest increase of 300 jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector led losses, shedding 1,800 jobs, followed by declines in other services, trade and transportation, professional services, and manufacturing. Health and education services were the only private sector area to show gains, adding 200 jobs.
Despite the monthly setback, Missouri added 4,200 jobs over the past year, with the strongest gains in education and health services (+16,600), other services, and construction. Year-over-year losses were most notable in leisure and hospitality (-7,100), trade and transportation (-4,400), and professional services (-2,900).
Missouri’s labor force participation rate stood at 63.4 percent, above the national average of 62.6 percent. The state’s employment-population ratio was also higher than the national figure, and the unemployment rate has remained below the national rate for 10 consecutive years.
To view the full report, visit: meric.mo.gov/missouri-monthly-jobs-report.
