What is the unemployment rate in the right now?

Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in the St. Louis, MO area was at 3.6% in April 2026. That's unchanged from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It helps indicate the overall condition of the St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area job market.
In April 2026,

3.6%

of the labor force was unemployed in St. Louis, MO area
April 2026 had a

+0

percentage point change from April 2025
Metro area-level unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not account for fluctuations due to seasonal employment patterns, such as tourism or agriculture. That means the data may show large changes month to month. It’s important to view this local data with a long-term lens.

The unemployment rate in St. Louis, MO area was lower in April 2026 (YTD) compared with January 2019.

Unemployment rate by month, not seasonally adjusted, 2019-2026 (YTD)

Unemployment rates differ between urban areas due to various factors. The types of industries present in an area may affect unemployment rates. Seasonal work in industries like tourism can cause unemployment to go up and down. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.

Get weekly insights

Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.

Unemployment rates are an indicator of economic health in any region. Comparing these rates across different metropolitan areas can provide insights into local economic conditions and labor market dynamics. The current unemployment rate in the St. Louis, MO area is a metric to consider. By examining how this rate stacks up against the national average and other metropolitan areas, we can understand the economic landscape of St. Louis. For instance, comparing the unemployment rate in St. Louis with those in cities like Chicago, IL, and Kansas City, MO, can highlight regional economic strengths and weaknesses. Over time, trends in the unemployment rate in St. Louis can reveal the impact of economic policies and external factors on the local job market. Factors such as industry presence, educational attainment, and economic policies play roles in shaping these rates. By monitoring and analyzing these trends, policymakers and stakeholders can make decisions to foster economic growth and stability.
Among 108 metro areas with more than 250,000 people in the labor force, the St. Louis, MO area had the 44th lowest unemployment rate in April 2026.
Other areas with similar unemployment rates to the St. Louis, MO area's 3.6% unemployment rate were the Oklahoma City, OK area (3.6%) and the Salt Lake City, UT area (3.6%).

In April 2026, the St. Louis, MO area had the 44th lowest unemployment rate among metro areas with more than 250,000 people in the labor force.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted (Circle size corresponds to the size of the labor force)

Unemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)

Unemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)
1.

El Centro, CA area

16.5%
2.

Yuma, AZ area

13.9%
3.

Visalia, CA area

10.2%
4.

Merced, CA area

9.6%
5.

Hanford, CA area

8.9%
6.

Bakersfield, CA area

8.7%
7.

Guayama, PR area

8.6%
8.

Eagle Pass, TX area

8.5%
9.

Fresno, CA area

8.1%
10.

Wildwood, FL area

7.9%

Keep exploring

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.