Trendsights Newsletter

Cost of Living Second Quarter 2026
Missouri had 7th lowest cost of living in the United States for the second quarter of 2026. In general, the most expensive areas to live in 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 the second quarter of 2026 was 88.2, compared to the national benchmark index set to 100. MERIC derives the cost-of-living index for each state by averaging the indices of participating cities and metropolitan areas in that state.
MERIC Current Employment Statistics Dashboard
The Current Employment Statistics dashboard provides an interactive way to view nonfarm employment data for Missouri and its metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Use this dashboard for an overview of current and historical employment for the state of Missouri, to compare employment in different MSAs, and to explore trends by detailed industries over time.
Census Bureau Report on Aging World Population
The share of the world population age 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 10.5 percent to 19.6 percent between 2025 and 2060, according to a new report by the U.S. Census Bureau. Between 2020 and 2025, the proportion of the world population age 65 and older exceeded the population age 5 and younger for the first time in recorded history. In the U.S., older adults are projected to make up 23.4 percent of the U.S. population by 2060, up from 18.9 percent in 2025.
Job Postings Comparison July 2026
Job postings decreased by 11.7 percent from July 2025 to July 2026. In July 2026, there were 70,510 online job postings compared to 79,830 in July 2025. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers had the largest increase (104%), while Retail Salespersons had the largest decrease (-39%).
Commuting Profile: Southwest Region
Of the 95,681 workers employed in the Southwest WDA in 2023, 70.9 percent commuted to work from within the region. The remainder (29.1%) commuted into the Southwest WDA from homes outside of the region. The top five counties where Southwest WDA residents work in private primary jobs (from most to least) are Jasper, Newton, Greene, Barry, and Lawrence.
New Tool Available for Local Employment and Wage Data
The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program provides data on employment and wages reported by employers, covering more than 95 percent of U.S. jobs available at the county, state, and national levels by detailed industry. A new interactive dashboard on the MERIC website can be used to explore QCEW data both by geography and industry. Users can customize the data for counties, MSAs, or workforce development areas, as well as by industry sector and ownership. This tool makes it easier for local workforce and economic developers to access and customize this valuable data for their specific uses.
Occupational Handbook: Welder, Cutter, Solderers and Brazers
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products. To enter the occupations, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with technical training obtained through community colleges, vocational schools, apprenticeships or other programs. The Missouri average annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $55,470 in 2025, while the national average wage was $56,300.
Quarterly Real-Time Online Job Postings
Job postings data provides a current look at employer demand for talent across the state. From April 2026 to June 2026, there were 212,200 online job postings in Missouri. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry had the most online job postings statewide and in many regions.
Missouri Business Index for July
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) decreased by 1.2 points, from 55.3 in June 2026 to 54.1 in July 2026, while remaining in expansion territory. The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for a nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, was at 55.7 for the month. This index measures such factors as new orders, production, supplier delivery times, backlogs, inventories, prices, employment, import orders and exports. Typically, a score above 50 indicates an expansionary economy, while a score below 50 forecasts a sluggish economy.
Real Time Industry Report: Information
There were over 26,000 online job postings for the Information Technology industry from January 2025 to December 2025. The top occupation was Software Developers, which made up 7.9 percent of total industry job postings for the period. Top software skills requested in the Information Technology industry include Amazon Web Services, Python, and SQL. Other specialized skills commonly appearing in Information Technology job postings were project and workflow management, computer science, and automation.
Commuting Profile: Southeast Region
Of the 103,466 workers employed in the Southeast WDA in 2023, 76.4 percent commuted to work from within the region. The remainder commuted to the Southeast WDA from homes outside of the region. In 2023, 27.5 percent of employees living in the Southeast WDA commuted more than 50 miles to work, 14.9 percent of workers traveled 25 to 50 miles to work, 21 percent commuted 10 to 24 miles, and 36.6 percent commuted fewer than 10 miles to work.
Economic Diversification Index
Economic diversification measures how varied a state’s economy is in terms of industries, jobs, and sources of income. A diversified economy has a variety of industries and is generally considered more resilient because it can manage fluctuations in the business cycle. By contrast, a less diversified economy specializes in only a few industries. In 2024, Missouri ranked fifth in the index for economic diversity. Pennsylvania was the most diversified state, followed by Texas and Tennessee.
Back to School Fun Facts 2026
The back-to-school/college season is among the most significant shopping events for consumers and retailers in the U.S., according to the National Retail Federation. Nationally, consumers plan to spend $43.3 billion on back-to-school shopping and $103.5 billion on college purchases in 2026. From August 7-9, 2026, Missouri hosts a sales tax holiday to help families with certain back-to-school purchases.
Job Postings Comparison - June 2026
Total job postings in Missouri decreased 4.7 percent from June 2025 to June 2026. In June 2026, there were 71,490 online postings compared to 75,000 in June 2025. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers had the largest increase in job postings (104%), while First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers had the largest decrease (-31%). Postings for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers have been increasing over the last four months.
2025 County Average Wages
St. Louis City had the highest average annual wage across all private industries in 2025 at $83,382, compared to the state average of $67,268. County average wage figures are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), a cooperative program between the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Click on the link above to view county average wages for both privately owned industries and for all industries combined.
Career Pathway: Energy Solutions
The Energy Solutions industry represents 4.9 percent of total private sector employment, employing 122,349 workers in 7,800 establishments in Missouri. Career pathways in the industry are involved with engineering, research, and production, so knowledge of mathematics, science, and the ability to use critical and analytical thinking are important. Safety and quality control issues are also essential in this industry, along with knowledge of environmental laws and regulations.
Commuting Profiles - Missouri and Regional
Workforce Commuting Profiles provide demographic and industry highlights for area workers, as well as commuting patterns showing how people travel in, out, and around a region for employment. Often, workers leave their resident county for a job in another county or region, but at the end of the day their income is often spent closer to home. These profiles help tell this story and show the importance of economic and workforce planning, regardless of geographic location.
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. Overall, economic activity increased at a slight-to-moderate pace in 11 of 12 Federal Reserve Districts in late May and June, while one District reported no change. 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.
Census Business Builder Tool
The Census Business Builder (CBB) is a data analytics tool that provides business intelligence in a simple to use format. Demographic and economic data are available through a map to explore state, county, city, ZIP code, and census tract-level data. Designed to help those starting or planning a business, this tool contains data such as population and housing estimates, business and employer statistics, exports trends, building permits, and consumer spending that can be used for research and planning.
Missouri Manufacturing Business Index for June
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased 5.3 percentage points to 55.3 from May 2026 to June 2026. The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, rose above growth neutral (expansionary economy) for the fifth straight month. This index 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.
Celebrating July 4th
Celebrate the 250th anniversary marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a fun look at the holiday’s impact on spending, travel, and activities. This year, consumer spending is projected to top $9.4 billion, as 87 percent of people plan to celebrate Independence Day. That is an average of $94.41 per person on festivities such as cookouts, fireworks, travel, parades and other activities.
Job Comparison May 2025 to May 2026
Job postings increased 11.6 percent from May 2025 to May 2026. In May 2026, there were 69,660 online job postings compared to 62,430 in May 2025. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers had the largest increase (113%) in job postings over the year, while Registered Nurses had the largest decrease (-14%). Postings for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver have been increasing over the last three months.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) is a continuous fielded survey that provides high-frequency, nationally representative data on U.S. employer businesses every 2 weeks. Sampled companies are asked about their current performance, changes in revenue, employment, hours worked, location operating status, demand, and prices. In late 2025, BTOS began a current series of questions to employers about the use of AI in any of its business functions. In Missouri, 15.6 percent of businesses reported using AI in any of their business functions, compared to 20.6 percent of businesses nationally.
Real Time Labor Report: Education
There were over 32,000 online job postings for the Education industry from January 2025 to December 2025. The top occupation was Postsecondary Teachers, making up 6.9 percent of total industry job postings for the time period. The employers with the most job postings were Washington University, University of Missouri, Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and local school districts.