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- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Missouri’s most recent official employment and wage data, covering the period from March 2025 to March 2026, provide a snapshot of the state's economic landscape and reveal key trends relevant to both workers and employers. The figures, released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), break down changes across the state and its counties, highlighting areas of growth and providing context for wage shifts throughout Missouri.
Employment Trends Across Missouri
Statewide, Missouri’s employment grew by 0.1 percent over the year, reaching 2,890,500 jobs in March 2026. However, this growth was not uniform across the state. Of the seven largest counties, three saw employment gains, while the remainder experienced declines. Greene County had the largest employment increase at +0.6 percent, followed by smaller upticks in St. Charles (+0.2 percent) and Boone (+0.1 percent). In contrast, Clay County saw a decrease of -1.3 percent, St. Louis City fell by -1.1 percent, St. Louis County by -0.8 percent, and Jackson County by -0.7 percent. St. Louis County remained the largest employment center, with 584,600 jobs, and the seven largest counties accounted for nearly 60% of all jobs in the state.[Source: BLS County Employment and Wages in Missouri]
Wage Growth and Regional Variation
Average weekly wages across Missouri increased by 3.4 percent over the year, reaching $1,354. This means Missouri ranked 31st among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for wage levels and 32nd in wage growth. Most of Missouri’s large counties posted lower wage growth than the national average of 3.9 percent, but Boone County led with a 4.5 percent gain. St. Louis County and Boone County followed with increases of 4.3 percent. Other counties saw more modest gains, and Clay County actually experienced a slight decrease at -0.2 percent. St. Louis City had the highest weekly wage among large counties at $1,761, which is above the national average.[Source: BLS County Employment and Wages in Missouri]
Among Missouri’s 108 smaller counties (those with employment below 75,000), all had average weekly wages below the national average. Ste. Genevieve reported the highest wage among them at $1,305, while Ripley reported the lowest at $629.[Source: BLS County Employment and Wages in Missouri]
What It Means for Workers and Employers
For workers, the overall modest employment growth and relatively moderate wage gains suggest a stable—if not rapidly expanding—job market. Employees in urban centers such as St. Louis City and County are likely to benefit from higher average wages. Meanwhile, those in smaller or rural counties may find wages significantly lower than both the state and national averages.
Employers may face an increasingly competitive labor market in regions with declining employment, potentially putting pressure on businesses to raise wages or offer additional benefits to attract talent. Conversely, counties with job growth and faster-than-average wage gains, like Boone, may see increased labor availability and consumer spending power.
The BLS notes that these data cover workers included in Unemployment Insurance programs, providing a comprehensive view of covered employment and pay throughout Missouri.[Source: BLS County Employment and Wages in Missouri]
Looking Ahead
As Missouri continues to track both employment and wage levels, businesses and policymakers can use this official data to make informed decisions about hiring, compensation, and economic development strategies in the months ahead. The next quarterly release is scheduled for December 2026.
