Central Workforce Development Region

In 2023, the region employed over 319,000 workers, making up 10.7% of Missouri’s workforce. The labor force is aging, with 23.1% of workers aged 55 and older. Educational attainment is slightly below the state average, with 38.2% holding an associate degree or higher. The unemployment rate was 2.9%, slightly below Missouri’s 3.0%, while 13.7% of the working-age population has a disability, higher than state and national averages.

Health care and social assistance is the region’s largest industry, employing over 46,000 people, followed by retail trade, educational services, and food services. Employment grew by 5.7% from 2019 to 2023, with strong job gains in finance, transportation, and construction. However, industries like public administration and mining experienced declines. Key industry concentrations include gasoline stations, financial services, and retail. Future growth is projected in education, food services, administrative support, and health care, with management and technology-related industries also expanding.

Job openings are highest in entry-level roles like cashiers and home health aides, while mid-level jobs such as truck drivers and restaurant cooks also see demand. High-skill professions like registered nurses and general managers are projected to grow. Online job postings indicate strong demand for nurses, retail supervisors, and truck drivers. Future employment trends point to steady growth in social assistance, manufacturing, and technical services, shaping the region’s workforce needs.