Missouri ranks first place for job losses
Only three states lost a significant numbers of jobs last month and Missouri tops that short list.
Employment in the state dropped by 11,800 jobs in December compared to November, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the other two states with a statistically significant drop in payrolls, Washington lost 11,600 jobs and Nevada lost 9,800 jobs.
In Missouri, employees on nonfarm payrolls, not seasonally adjusted, dropped by 5,000 in the construction sector, according to the report on states.
Among other sectors where nonfarm payroll numbers dropped significantly in Missouri during December; manufacturing lost 1,200 jobs and education and health services lost 3,100 jobs.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development, which reported the loss of 11,800 jobs last week, cited seasonal losses in private educational services due to holiday breaks at universities.
Despite the fall in payroll numbers during December, the unemployment rate in Missouri also dropped to 8 percent. To be considered unemployed, a person must be actively seeking a job.
As touted by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon in his State of the State speech last week, unemployment in the state is at its lowest level in three years. Nixon has repeatedly said jobs are his top priority.
By Brian R. Hook, brhook@missourijournal.com, (314) 482-7944
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