September 2026
Released October 20, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 18, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 24.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.
In September, payroll jobs rose in 24 states and fell in 25. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Carolina. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Missouri and Wisconsin.
Missouri
Employment snapshot
In September, Missouri lost 10,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.6 percent. In the prior month, Missouri added 4,300 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Missouri added 28,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points from 3.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Missouri is tied for 10th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In September, Missouri’s private sector lost 10,700 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 31,200 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Missouri added 4,600 net private payroll jobs.
In September, employment in Missouri rose by 2,675, and over the past 12 months it rose by 15,824.
Missouri’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 63.3 percent in September and ranks 17th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.3 percentage points.
Missouri
Payroll employment
Missouri lost 10,600 net payroll jobs, or -0.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Missouri added 4,300 jobs. Missouri nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Missouri is tied for 10th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Missouri lost 10,700 private sector jobs, or -0.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Missouri added 4,600 jobs. Missouri private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 46,000 jobs in September, or 0 percent. Missouri is tied for 12th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From August 2026 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+1,400) and Other Services (+600).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-5,200) and Private Education and Health Services (-4,200).
From September 2025 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+13,900) and Construction (+8,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-4,100) and Financial Activities (-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 63.3 percent in September.
Missouri ranks 17th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Missouri was 64.6 percent in September 2016, and the 10-year low was 59.6 percent in May 2020.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.8 percent in September.