Missouri’s Workforce: Talent, Training, and Value

For any business owner seeking an edge, Missouri has a lot to offer in more than one aspect. For the astute executive who truly understands what creates a competitive advantage, that edge comes in the form of Missouri’s workforce.

By Dennis Boone

PUBLISHED AUGUST 2025

Companies in Missouri benefit from a strong and supported workforce, offering several advantages, including:

• Access to a large and diverse talent pool: Missouri boasts a workforce of more than 3 million people, and it actively invests in developing and training its workforce to meet the demands of various industries, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and technology.

• Targeted recruitment and training programs: The state offers programs like Missouri One Start, which provides customized recruitment assistance and training resources to help businesses find and upskill their employees, ensuring they have the talent needed to succeed. This program helps companies stay competitive and meet their specific work-force needs, according to the Missouri Partnership.

• Emphasis on skill development and career readiness: Missouri focuses on enhancing the skills of its workforce through various initiatives, including free community-college degrees for adults in targeted programs, retraining programs, and the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant, which encourages training in high-need areas. The Missouri Job Centers also offer training programs like Career Ready 101 and the National Career Readiness Certificate to ensure workers are equipped with essential skills.

• Support for businesses of all sizes: Programs like Missouri Works offer financial benefits to businesses creating jobs, with low job creation thresholds, making it attractive for both small and large companies expanding in the state, according to accounting firm CLA.

• Lower cost of living: Missouri’s lower cost of living compared to the national average enables employers to offer employees a high quality of life, even with lower labor costs—an attractive factor for talent acquisition and retention. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center notes the cost-of-living index in Missouri for Q1 2025 was 88.0, making it one of the lowest in the United States. 

Overall, the Missouri workforce provides companies with a combination of a skilled and growing talent pool, access to comprehensive training programs, and a business-friendly environment that supports expansion and growth. In sum, Missouri distinguishes itself among Midwestern states with a proactive and robust approach to workforce training and development.