January 2025
Released March 17, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In January, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 9, rose in 19, and remained unchanged in 23.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In January, payroll jobs rose in 31 states and fell in 19. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Dakota. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Georgia.
Missouri Employment Snapshot
In January, Missouri lost 17,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.7 percent. In the prior month, Missouri added 5,400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Missouri added 10,700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 3.5 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Missouri is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In January, Missouri’s private sector lost 18,800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 800 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Missouri added 7,100 net private payroll jobs.
In January, employment in Missouri rose by 1,823, and over the past 12 months it rose by 20,402.
Missouri’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 63.2 percent in January and ranks 25th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has remained unchanged.
Missouri Payroll Employment
Missouri lost 17,200 net payroll jobs, or -0.6 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Missouri added 5,400 jobs. Missouri nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Missouri is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Missouri lost 18,800 private sector jobs, or -0.7 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Missouri added 7,100 jobs. Missouri private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 81,000 jobs in January, or 0.1 percent. Missouri is tied for 42nd in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during January were Government (1,600) and Education and Health Services (400).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Leisure and Hospitality (-3,600) and Manufacturing (-8,100).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (18,400) and Government (11,500).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (-5,900) and Manufacturing (-9,900).
Missouri Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Missouri remained unchanged at 63.2 percent in January.
Missouri ranks 25th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Missouri was 64.7 percent occurring in August 2016, and the 10-year low was 59.6 percent in May 2020.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in January.