March 2026 | Released May 06, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In March, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 14, rose in 10, and remained unchanged in 27.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.3 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent.
In March, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Tennessee. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.2 percent in Hawaii, Montana, and Oregon.
Missouri
Employment snapshot
In March, Missouri lost 3,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.9 percent. In the prior month, Missouri lost 9,000 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Missouri lost 8,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 4 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 178,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. Missouri is tied for 33rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In March, Missouri’s private sector lost 3,400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 1,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Missouri lost 10,000 net private payroll jobs.
In March, employment in Missouri fell by 945, and over the past 12 months it rose by 19,085.
Missouri’s labor force participation rate fell to 63.5 percent in March from 63.6 percent and is tied for 19th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.1 percentage points.
Missouri
Payroll employment
Missouri lost 3,200 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, Missouri lost 9,000 jobs. Missouri nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 178,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. Missouri is tied for 33rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Missouri lost 3,400 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, Missouri lost 10,000 jobs. Missouri private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 186,000 jobs in March, or 0.1 percent. Missouri is tied for 31st in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From February 2026 to March 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+3,000) and Construction (+1,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-3,500) and Manufacturing (-1,200).
From March 2025 to March 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+7,700) and Leisure and Hospitality (+7,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-10,400) and Federal Government (-5,600).
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 fell to 63.5 percent in March from 63.6 percent in the prior month.
Missouri is tied for 19th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Missouri was 64.7 percent occurring in March 2016, and the 10-year low was 59.6 percent in May 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.9 percent in March.