Missouri Employment Falls by 10,600 in September

The state non-farm payroll dropped to 3,007,300 as the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.6 percent.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a grain silo, reflecting the economic cooling in the Missouri labor market. — Missouri's non-farm payroll fell by 10,600 jobs in September, as the state's unemployment rate edged upward to 3.6 percent. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Missouri saw a decrease of 10,600 jobs in September 2026, bringing the total non-farm payroll to 3,007,300. During the same period, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate climbed to 3.6 percent.

Why it matters

The decline reflects a cooling in the state labor market, driven largely by losses in private services. This shift arrives as Missouri manages 113,644 unemployed residents amid national economic fluctuations.

Missouri recorded a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.6 percent in September 2026, which remains 0.6 percent lower than the national rate of 4.2 percent. The state currently counts 113,644 unemployed individuals across its workforce.

The details

The private sector accounted for the bulk of the decline, shedding 10,700 jobs while the government sector saw a modest gain of 100. Specific areas of decline included professional and business services, which lost 5,200 positions, and private education and health services, which dropped 4,200 jobs.

September 2025: The state unemployment rate was 3.9 percent.
August 2026: Total non-farm payroll count was recorded prior to the September shift.
September 2026: The state lost 10,600 jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percent.

Macro View

This employment dip aligns with broader historical fluctuations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly state employment and unemployment report. Such shifts often mirror wider economic cycles where state-level performance diverges from national trends.

The rise in unemployment to 3.6 percent may signal a tighter job market for Missouri residents seeking new roles. Families should anticipate potential shifts in local hiring availability as the private service sector experiences a contraction.

The takeaway

Workers navigating the current Missouri labor market may find increased competition for roles in professional and health services. Staying informed on regional sector performance can help in making proactive career or budgeting decisions.