{"schema_version": 1, "id": "joplin-mo-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 194, "label": "Joplin, MO MSA", "slug": "joplin-mo-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:45:48.529008+00:00", "headline": "Joplin holds tight labor market as Missouri's job growth cools", "headline_summary": "Joplin's 3.8% unemployment rate continues to run below the 4.1% national average even as Missouri shed 10,600 jobs statewide in September, with manufacturing pay locally up significantly to $38,792.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Joplin MSA unemployment", "value": "3.8%", "context": "vs. 4.1% national, August 2026"}, {"label": "Missouri September payrolls", "value": "-10,600 jobs", "context": "statewide, despite +28,400 YoY gain"}, {"label": "Missouri unemployment rate", "value": "3.6%", "context": "below national rate for 11+ years"}, {"label": "Joplin nonfarm employment growth", "value": "+1.1% YoY", "context": "91.0k to 92.0k, Jan-May 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Joplin's jobless rate keeps outperforming both state and nation.", "body": "At 3.8% in August versus 4.1% nationally, Joplin ranked 35th-lowest among metros with labor forces over 250,000 \u2014 a sign the local economy has kept pace with national job growth without the labor-force erosion driving the national decline in participation."}, {"headline": "Missouri's September job loss did not show up locally \u2014 yet.", "body": "Statewide payrolls fell 10,600 jobs in September, concentrated in professional services, private education/health, and trade/transportation, but Joplin's last confirmed reading (August, 91-92k nonfarm jobs) showed no comparable pullback. Commerce leaders should treat the gap as a timing question pending October metro data."}, {"headline": "Manufacturing pay strength signals continued production demand.", "body": "Manufacturing production worker advertised pay rose significantly in the metro to $38,792, outpacing the stable national figure of $39,520 in relative movement \u2014 consistent with Missouri's broader manufacturing WARN activity (15 notices statewide) leaving local conditions steady."}, {"headline": "Wage-vs-inflation gap narrows local households' buying power regardless of low unemployment.", "body": "National median weekly earnings rose just 1.5% against 3.5% CPI growth in Q3, and Joplin's own average wage ($24.25/hour) sits well below national averages \u2014 meaning low local unemployment does not by itself protect consumer spending power in the metro's retail and service economy."}], "local_conditions": "Joplin's unemployment rate held at 3.8% in August, nearly half a point below the national 4.1% and consistent with eleven consecutive years of Missouri metros running under the U.S. rate. Nonfarm payrolls grew modestly through the metro's tracked months (91.0 to 92.0 thousand, up 1.1% year-over-year), while statewide September payrolls fell 10,600 even as Missouri's jobless rate improved to 3.6% \u2014 a divergence that points to softening concentrated in a few large metros, with Joplin's own data showing no comparable slowdown.", "implications": "Joplin's labor market reads tighter than the state and national averages, which is consistent with a metro where available workers remain scarce relative to demand even as white-collar sectors nationally (information, professional services, financial activities) shed jobs. Commerce leaders weighing expansion or relocation decisions should treat Missouri's statewide September job loss as a signal to watch metro-level data closely, since Joplin's manufacturing production worker pay rose significantly and operations/account manager pay rose significantly \u2014 both consistent with continued local demand. Current conditions suggest it is a reasonable window to evaluate local expansion plans, provided leaders track the October 28 BLS metro release before committing to timing.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected release", "body": "BLS publishes October metro-level employment data on October 28 \u2014 the first real test of whether Missouri's statewide September job loss reaches Joplin or stays concentrated in St. Louis and Kansas City."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Missouri's minimum wage rise to $15/hour (HB 567) took full effect this year with no future CPI adjustment; watch whether Joplin's retail and food-service advertised pay \u2014 currently stable to moderate \u2014 shifts as the policy's first full-year effects show in local postings."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Statewide WARN filings are down 41% year-over-year (31 notices, 3,029 workers in 2026), but transportation/logistics and healthcare remain the most-affected sectors statewide. A single large regional filing in either sector could move Joplin's layoff picture meaningfully given the metro's smaller labor base."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "National labor force participation gains (61.8%) are tracking slower growth tied to retirements and immigration policy effects on labor supply; Missouri's own participation rate (64%) already exceeds the national figure, raising the question of how much further local labor supply has room to expand without wage acceleration."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 26029.0, "metro_p50": 31200.0, "metro_p75": 34195.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 26101.0, "metro_p50": 30225.0, "metro_p75": 31200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30958.5, "metro_p50": 34790.4, "metro_p75": 38468.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60059.0, "metro_p50": 79024.0, "metro_p75": 89545.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29978.0, "metro_p50": 32223.0, "metro_p75": 36410.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32708.0, "metro_p50": 39192.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 59198.5, "metro_p50": 70000.0, "metro_p75": 76011.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32245.25, "metro_p50": 38792.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31490.0, "metro_p50": 36607.6, "metro_p75": 38593.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28355.0, "metro_p50": 28575.0, "metro_p75": 29274.25, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32644.0, "metro_p50": 35659.0, "metro_p75": 38480.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31161.5, "metro_p50": 37440.0, "metro_p75": 41634.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57796.0, "metro_p50": 66332.8, "metro_p75": 75159.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 82370.0, "metro_p50": 95680.0, "metro_p75": 105867.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 111002.0, "metro_p50": 147254.4, "metro_p75": 166840.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 89170.0, "metro_p50": 129538.4, "metro_p75": 143624.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54365.0, "metro_p50": 65000.0, "metro_p75": 70258.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 71850.0, "metro_p50": 91127.0, "metro_p75": 99091.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54692.0, "metro_p50": 60180.0, "metro_p75": 63366.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 55620.0, "metro_p50": 66799.0, "metro_p75": 76755.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 66901.25, "metro_p50": 80684.0, "metro_p75": 87685.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34364.0, "metro_p50": 50046.0, "metro_p75": 54725.25, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60227.0, "metro_p50": 100000.0, "metro_p75": 122495.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 70000.0, "metro_p50": 81594.0, "metro_p75": 103119.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 78311.5, "metro_p50": 93241.6, "metro_p75": 103134.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 64299.5, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 98150.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 37768.5, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 61917.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 134991.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 94726.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 73654.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 62072.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 31655.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 61700.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [{"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/regions/mountain-plains", "statement": "Joplin MSA unemployment rate was 3.8% in August 2026"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.mo.htm", "statement": "Missouri lost 10,600 jobs statewide in September 2026"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm", "statement": "National unemployment rate stable at 4.1% in October 2026"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics / FRED", "source_url": "https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MOUR", "statement": "Missouri's unemployment rate has stayed at or below national rate for 11 years"}, {"source_name": "Missouri Governor's Office / HB 567", "source_url": null, "statement": "Missouri's minimum wage rose to $15.00/hour effective January 1, 2026 under HB 567"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/news.release/wkyeng.nr0.htm", "statement": "Median weekly earnings rose 1.5% in Q3 2026 vs 3.5% CPI gain"}], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "joplin-mo-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "joplin-mo-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "joplin-mo-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:24:02.665947+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/joplin-mo-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/joplin-mo-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}