Voices

2025 Missouri Workforce Trends: What Businesses Need to Know

April 22, 2025

Matt McCormick

As we move further into 2025, Missouri’s workforce landscape continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses. With a strong labor participation rate in Boone County, low unemployment, and a high demand for healthcare workers, businesses must stay informed and proactive to remain competitive. Additionally, Missouri One Start is offering valuable upskilling grants to help companies train and retain top talent. Understanding these trends will enable businesses to make strategic decisions to secure a skilled workforce.

Missouri’s Labor Market at a Glance

In December 2024, Boone County reported a labor participation rate of 67.38 percent, reflecting a strong workforce actively engaged in employment or seeking job opportunities. The county’s unemployment rate stood at just 2.4 percent, indicating a tight labor market where employers may face challenges in finding qualified workers.

Across the state, Missouri’s unemployment rate remained relatively low at 3.7 percent. While this signifies economic stability, it also highlights the ongoing difficulty businesses face in attracting and retaining employees. With fewer people actively seeking jobs, companies must be competitive in their recruitment efforts, offering attractive compensation, benefits, and professional growth opportunities.

The Surge in Healthcare Job Openings

One of the most significant workforce trends in Missouri is the surge in healthcare job openings. As of January 2025, the healthcare industry has more job openings than any other sector. The growing demand for healthcare professionals is driven by an aging population, advancements in medical technology, and the expansion of healthcare facilities throughout the state.

For businesses operating in or supporting the healthcare sector, this trend presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, there is a high demand for skilled workers, which can drive business growth. On the other hand, competition for qualified healthcare professionals is intense, requiring employers to offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing training opportunities to attract and retain talent.

Upskilling: A Solution to Workforce Challenges

With a tight labor market and increased demand for specialized skills, businesses must prioritize employee training and development. Fortunately, Missouri One Start offers a valuable Credential Training Program, which provides grant funding for upskilling employees.

This program helps employers offset the costs of industry-related credentialing for their workforce. Eligible businesses can receive up to $2,000 per employee, with a maximum grant amount of $30,000 per company per fiscal year. The program aims to enhance workforce skills, improve productivity, and help businesses remain competitive in their respective industries.

Applications for the next round of funding open in April 2025. By investing in employee development, companies can improve retention rates, increase efficiency, and build a more skilled workforce to meet industry demands.

Strategic Considerations for Missouri Businesses

Given these workforce trends, businesses should consider implementing the following strategies to remain competitive:

Invest in Employee Development: Utilizing programs like the Missouri One Start Credential Training Program can enhance employee skills, leading to greater job satisfaction, retention, and productivity.

Enhance Recruitment Strategies: With low unemployment rates, businesses should offer competitive salaries, flexible work arrangements, and robust benefits packages to attract top talent.

Focus on Workforce Retention: Businesses should foster a positive workplace culture, provide career advancement opportunities, and recognize employees’ contributions.

Leverage Healthcare Opportunities: Companies in or adjacent to the healthcare industry should capitalize on the growing demand by ensuring they have skilled employees ready to meet industry needs.

Stay Informed on Labor Trends: Regularly monitoring labor market reports, workforce development initiatives, and industry-specific trends will help businesses make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition.

By leveraging enhancing recruitment efforts and focusing on employee retention, Missouri businesses can navigate these workforce trends successfully and position themselves for long-term growth.