Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from July to August 2021, and the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point.

A press release says seasonally-adjusted employment increased by 7,300 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries.

The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August, down from 4.2 percent in July.

Recovery from COVID-19-related layoffs continued with an increase of 73,400 jobs from August 2020 to August 2021. Short-term shortages of semiconductor chips may hold down employment in manufacturing in the next few months.