Trendsights Newsletter

C2ER Labor Market Analyst Training
For those looking to build knowledge and skills in labor market information and analysis, this C2ER course for novice labor market information (LMI) analysts will provide an introduction to LMI and basic analytical methods that support state and regional workforce development strategies. Through both discussions and hands-on exercises, participants will gain exposure to various workforce, demographic, and economic data sources. New analysts and researchers from workforce-related organizations, such as community colleges and workforce investment boards, may find this introductory training helpful.
Missouri Business Index Remains in Expansion Territory
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for July was 52.6, decreasing 0.5 points from June. This level still indicates an expansionary economy in the state, according to the monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Survey conducted by Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Regionally, the Mid-America Region’s overall index fell below growth neutral for the first time in five months. Economists consider the index a key economic indicator. It measures several factors such 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.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey
The U.S. Census Bureau Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) provides insight into the state of the economy by providing timely data for current business conditions and expectations about future conditions. With data by detailed geographic and subsector data, this tool will provide local, state, and federal officials with near real-time data for policy and decision-making. Collected and reported every two weeks, this data can help take the pulse of the current business climate in Missouri.
July Online Job Postings
There were 73,240 new job postings in Missouri in July 2023, according to data from Lightcast™. This was similar to the 71,090 posting in June 2023. New job postings in the St. Louis (28,320) and Kansas City (18,910) regions made up more than half of the statewide postings during the month.
Back To School Fun Facts and Information
The back-to-school season is among the most significant shopping events for consumers and retailers, second only to the winter holidays, according to the National Retail Federation. Nationally, consumers plan to spend $41.5 billion on back-to-school shopping and $94 billion on college purchases in 2023. From August 4-6, 2023, Missouri hosts a sales tax holiday to help families with certain back-to-school purchases.
BLS Users Conference
On Aug.17, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will hold the 2023 Dallas Regional Office Data Users' Conference, with a particular focus on the oil and gas industry. The public will have the opportunity to hear from senior BLS economists and industry experts through presentations and a panel discussion. These sessions will provide an overview of major economic indicators and a deep dive into how BLS data can be used to make better-informed decisions. BLS economists will be on hand to answer questions throughout the presentation. Join this event to learn about how you can use free BLS data to guide your own research or business decisions.
Construction Real-Time Industry Summary
In 2022 there were 12,000 online job postings for the Construction industry. The top occupation was Construction Managers, making up 11.9 percent of total industry job postings for the time period. Top employers were CDM Smith, J.E. Dunn Construction, The Turner Corporation, Midtown Home Improvements, and Bluescope Building.
Kids Count Data Center
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT® is a premier source of data on children, youth and families. Find indicators for cities, counties, states and the U.S. for factors such as demographics, education, economic well-being, family and community, health, and safety. Click on the link above to explore more about Missouri’s youth.
Create Your Own Industry Data Map
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has a tool for the creation of customized Quarterly Census of Wages (QCEW) maps for states and counties for employment, establishments, location quotient, and average weekly wage data. Users can also further refine their selections by time period, industry, and ownership. Click on the link above to start creating your own custom map.
Manufacturing Real-Time Industry Summary
In 2022, there were more than 72,000 online job postings for the Manufacturing industry in Missouri. The occupation with the most postings was Computer Occupations, All Other, making up 4.8 percent of the industry total. The employers with the most job postings were The Boeing Company, General Dynamics, Bayer Corporation, Burns & McDonnell, and Anheuser-Busch Companies. Some of the top specialized skills requested in online job postings for Manufacturing included project management, budgeting, and quality assurance and control.
June 2023 Online Job Postings
There were 71,090 new job postings in Missouri in June 2023, according to data from Lightcast™. That was similar to the 71,580 postings in May 2023. New job postings in the St. Louis (26,800) and Kansas City (18,610) regions made up more than half of the statewide postings during the month.
Missouri's GDP Growth, 1st Quarter 2023
Gross domestic product (GDP) is the broadest measure of an area’s economic activity. In the first quarter of 2023, real GDP increased in all U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Missouri’s GDP grew by 2.6 percent, which exceeded the national average of 2.0 percent. Missouri’s growth rate ranked 18th among states.
May Job Postings 2022 to 2023 Job Ad Comparison
Job postings decreased by 12 percent from May 2022 to May 2023. In May 2023, there were 71,580 online job postings compared to 81,640 in May 2022. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2023 of 2.5 percent was unchanged from April and higher than the rate of 2.1 percent a year ago. Despite the overall decline, job postings for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses nearly doubled compared to last year.
Missouri Data Center Offers Demographics by Radius Tool
The Missouri Census Data Center Circular Area Profiling System (CAPS) application allows users to enter a location, based on either latitude-longitude coordinates or ZIP code, and up to five radius values in miles. The results are a series of U.S. Census data-based profile reports, one for each radius. This data allows for quick demographic and socioeconomic data comparisons around that geographic point. Click on the link above to use the CAPS tool.
Industry Concentration Dashboard
Industry concentration analysis, using location quotients (LQs), helps identify the industries that are more specialized in a geographic area. Businesses that are more specialized, due to exporting goods and services or because they draw customers in from outside the state, are important sources of income and opportunity to an area. This updated industry concentration Tableau dashboard can be used to explore industry concentrations for the state and its counties.
WIOA Demographics by County
The latest demographic data, such as educational attainment, gender, age, race and ethnicity, are available for Missouri and its counties. The easy-to-use Excel file format includes data for each county for 44 demographic factors, and is formatted with a separate tab showing the counties by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) region.
County Average Wages 2022
St. Louis City had the highest average annual wage across all private industries in 2022 at $73,685, compared to the state average of $60,159. 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.
May 2023 Online Job Postings
There were 71,580 new job postings in Missouri in May 2023, according to data from Lightcast™. This was down from 74,450 in April 2023. Health Care and Social Assistance; Retail Trade; and Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation were the industries with the most new job postings in the state during the month.
Business Index Increases
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for May was 51.2, increasing 1.7 points from April, according to the monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Survey conducted by Creighton University. Economists consider the index a key economic indicator. 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.
Father's Day Fun Facts
Father's Day is a day to recognize and honor the men and father figures who have made a difference in our lives. Almost three of every four consumers plan to celebrate Father's Day this year. Shop in one of the 352 hardware stores in Missouri to find the perfect gift! Click on the link above to see other fun facts about this holiday.
2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Dashboard
How much does a registered nurse earn in the St. Louis area? How many electricians are employed in southwest 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 and sub-state areas. This data is produced by conducting a survey of employers across Missouri to ensure that data is available for many different geographic areas. Explore the 2022 employment and wage data for the state, regions, and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs).
First Quarter 2023 Cost of Living
Missouri had the fourth lowest cost of living in the United States for the first quarter of 2023. In general, states in the central U.S. had lower cost of living averages. States with higher costs of living relative to the U.S. average were Hawaii, Alaska, and those in the Northeast and on the West Coast.
Fastest Growing St. Louis Occupations
The St. Louis Region is projected to have more than 140,000 total job openings each year between 2022 and 2024. The three fastest growing occupations are First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Service Workers; Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks; and Home Health and Personal Care Aides. Click on the link above to learn more about the fastest growing occupations in the St. Louis Region.
St. Louis Real-Time Labor Market Summary
St. Louis Region employers posted 97,330 job ads from January through March 2023, with 71 percent for full-time positions. More than half of the region’s job postings during the quarter were in four industries: Health Care and Social Assistance; Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; and Retail Trade.