Trendsights Newsletter

In-Demand Technology Skills: Knowing the Code
Information Technology occupations are some of the most in-demand occupations in Missouri. More than 85,000 people were employed in Computer and Mathematical occupations in 2014, earning an average wage of $90,910. In the 34,000 online job ads for these occupations in Missouri in 2025, the top requested software and programming skills included SQL, Python, and Amazon Web Services.
Occupational Handbook: Computer Programmer
Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly. Programmers usually work in office settings, most commonly in the computer systems design and related services industry. Most computer programmers work full time and typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Most programmers specialize in several programming languages. In Missouri, the average wage for a Computer Programmer was $95,230 in 2024, with an estimated employment of 1,410.
Celebrating Pi Day with the U.S. Census Bureau
Pi, often represented by the mathematical symbol “π,” represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It’s common in math and science, with practical uses anywhere circles, spheres or ellipses are used. The first three digits of pi are 3.14, making March 14 the perfect day to celebrate this mathematical constant. In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Res.224, a resolution supporting the designation of Pi Day, recognizing the importance of the National Science Foundation’s math and science programs, and encouraging schools to celebrate with activities focused on pi and the study of math. More than 85,000 Missourians are employed in Computer and Mathematical occupations.
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Dashboard
How much does a registered nurse earn in the Kansas City area? How many electricians are employed in southeast Missouri? These are the kinds of questions that the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data can answer. OEWS data provides employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations in Missouri, as well as sub-state areas. This data is produced by conducting a survey of employers across Missouri in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Use this dashboard to explore occupation employment and wages for Missouri and its regions.
February Online Job Postings
Online job postings in Missouri decreased from 75,220 in January 2025 to 73,670 in February 2026. Health Care and Social Assistance had 16,910 openings in the state, with Registered Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses topping the advertised occupations in that industry sector.
Federal Reserve Beige Book - Current Economic Conditions
The Beige Book is a Federal Reserve System publication about current economic conditions across the 12 Federal Reserve Districts. Published eight times per year, it characterizes regional economic conditions and prospects based on a variety of mostly qualitative information, gathered directly from each District's sources. Click on the link above to learn more about the economic activity nationally and in the 12 districts, including the Kansas City and St. Louis district reports.
Fortune 500: Missouri is Home to Eight Top Businesses
Eight Missouri-based companies were included in the 2025 Fortune 500 list, which is based on fiscal year 2024 revenue. Centene is the highest ranked Missouri company among Fortune 500 companies. The company dropped from 22nd in the rankings in 2024 to 23rd in 2025 but had a year-over-year revenue increase of 5.9 percent to reach $163 billion. Seven of Missouri’s Fortune 500 companies are in the St. Louis area, while one is in Springfield.
Missouri 2025 Annual Exports
Exports from Missouri to other countries decreased 3.5 percent from 2024 to 2025, totaling just under $18.68 billion. More than half of Missouri’s export income is to countries in North America. Canada purchased $5.8 billion in goods, led by the export industry of motor vehicles. Mexico ($4.3 billion) was the second largest, led by oilseeds and grains.
2020-2024 American Community Survey Estimates Available
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released new 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year average data. These statistics cover a broad range of topics about social, economic, demographic, and housing characteristics for all geographies, including the nation, states, counties, places, metros, and census tracts.
Missouri Business Index for January Postings
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for January 2026 increased to 57.9 from 55.8 in December. Component indices of production (54.8), inventories (65.1), delivery lead time (57.0), and employment (62.5) helped raise Missouri’s overall index for the month. For the fourth time in the past five months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved below growth neutral. It measures such factors as new orders, production, supplier delivery times, backlogs, inventories, prices, employment, import orders and exports. Typically, a score greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy while a score below 50 forecasts a sluggish economy.
January 2026 Online Job Postings
Online job postings in Missouri increased from 63,570 in December 2025 to 74,830 in January 2026. Occupations with the highest number of openings included Registered Nurses, Heavy Tractor-Trailer Drivers, Retail Salespersons, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Salesworkers, and Customer Service Representatives.
Occupational Handbook: Customer Service Representatives
Customer service representatives in Missouri earn an average annual wage of $42,868 and perform tasks such as resolving customer complaints, processing orders, and answering various questions. Missouri is projected to have 6,736 annual openings for customer service representatives. These positions typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, with candidates needing strong communication and computer skills.
Cost of Living 2025
Missouri had the sixth lowest cost of living in the United States for 2025. In general, the most expensive areas to live were Hawaii, Alaska, the Northeast, and the West Coast. The least expensive areas were the Midwest and Southern states. Missouri’s cost of living index for 2025 was 88.9. MERIC derives the cost of living index for each state by averaging the indices of participating cities and metropolitan areas in that state.
Valentine's Day Fun Facts
Valentine’s Day gives honor to our most cherished loved ones. Average spending per person this year is projected to be $199.78, with nationwide spending projected at $29.1 billion. With more than 50 sugar and confectionary manufacturers and the top greeting card manufacturer located in the state, Missouri is poised to contribute to the impact of this holiday.
Missouri Population 2025
Missouri added 26,997 new residents to the state from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, bringing the state’s total population to 6.27 million people. This was a 0.4% change over the year. Missouri ranks 18th in the U.S. by population size. Texas grew the most over the year, adding 391,243 new residents, followed by Florida (196,680), North Carolina (145,907), Georgia (98,540), and South Carolina (79,958).
Third Quarter GDP and Personal Income in Missouri
Real GDP increased at an annual rate of 4.4 percent nationally and 4.5 percent in Missouri during the third quarter of 2025. Nationally, GDP growth ranged from 6.5 percent in Kansas to 0.4 percent in North Dakota. Personal Income rose by 2.6 percent in Missouri during the third quarter of 2025, compared to 3.3 percent growth nationwide.
Job Ads Comparison - November 2025
Job postings increased 12.4 percent from November 2024 to November 2025. In November 2025, there were 60,610 online job postings compared to 53,940 in November 2024. Registered Nurses (61%) and Health Technologists & Technicians, All Other (47%) had the largest increases due to a rise in postings from employment agencies and travel medical companies.
Skills Demand Over Time - Production Occupations
Employers request a variety of skills from job applicants. Some skills are termed as durable, or soft skills, such as communication, time management, emotional intelligence, or customer service. Other skills are considered technical or hard skills, such as machinery, tools, blueprinting, or mathematics. This brief explores skills requested by employers in their job postings for Production occupations, and how the demand for these skills has changed over the last five years. In 2024, there were over 25,880 online job postings for Production occupations in Missouri, a 45 percent increase from approximately 17,820 postings in 2019.
Latest Federal Beige Books for Kansas City and St. Louis
The Beige Book is a Federal Reserve System publication about current economic conditions across the 12 Federal Reserve Districts. It characterizes regional economic conditions and prospects based on a variety of mostly qualitative information, gathered directly from each District's sources. Click on the link above to learn more about the economic activity, including the Kansas City and St. Louis district reports.
Skills Transfer - Food Service Occupations
The economy and workforce are constantly changing and evolving due to changes in technology, how and where work is done, and the needs of consumers. Jobs that were in-demand in the past may not be in-demand today, or in the future, but the skills from those jobs may apply to careers in other fields. Explore how skills in some of the Food Service occupations that are projected to decline in employment from 2022-2032 may transfer to different higher-demand occupations.
Missouri Business Index for December
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for December 2025 increased to 55.8 from 48.6 in November. Component indices of inventories (71.8) and delivery lead time (57.1) helped raise Missouri’s overall index for the month. Conditions are mixed across the region as the regional index fell below 50 for the fourth time in six months. The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index is a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas. It measures such factors as new orders, production, supplier delivery times, backlogs, inventories, prices, employment, import orders and exports. Typically, a score greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy while a score below 50 forecasts a sluggish economy.
Target Industry: Financial and Professional Services
There were more than 56,000 online job postings for the Financial and Professional Services industry from January 2024 to December 2024. The top occupations were Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents and Customer Service Representatives, each making up 3.3 percent of total industry job postings during the year. Top specialized skills identified in job postings for this industry include auditing, project management, and marketing.
Winter Holiday Outlook
This holiday season, 9 in 10 consumers plan to celebrate the winter holidays. Holiday spending is forecasted to total more than $1 trillion for the first time in history. See this and other fun facts for travel destinations, shipping, spending, and Christmas trees in this quick winter holiday outlook.
Year-to-Year Comparison in Job Postings
ob postings increased 25.9 percent from September 2024 to September 2025. In September 2025, there were 72,770 online job postings compared to 57,800 in September 2024. Physical Therapists (183%) and Registered Nurses (69%) had the largest increase, due to an increase in postings from employment agencies and travel medical companies. By industry, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services had the largest increase in job postings, while Educational Services had the largest decline.