Missouri's net gain of 57,100 jobs over the last year led all eight of its neighboring states, according to state-by-state numbers released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The gain represents a 2.1 percent growth in the state's job over the past 12 months.
Missouri also ranked in the top 10 nationwide in new job creation. The same data show Missouri was tied for the largest statistically significant decrease in the nation in the unemployment rate in November.
"Over the last eight years, we've cut our unemployment rate in half, revitalized our manufacturing industry and made Missouri an internationally recognized center of high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship," Gov. Jay Nixon said in a news release. "This report showing Missouri leading the region in job growth is more proof that hard work pays off. By balancing budgets and making smart investments in our students and workers, we've positioned Missouri to compete and win in the global economy."
The BLS report shows Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment grew by 1,900 jobs in November, reaching a new record high for the state with 2,842,200 jobs. The state's unemployment rate for November also went down by four-tenths of a point to 4.7 percent.