SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – The latest job report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the U.S. economy added 120,000 jobs in January.
That growth mirrors what workers with the Missouri Job Center in Springfield are seeing. Local employers currently have more than 550 openings posted through the job center, a change after area companies took a conservative approach in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“They were holding off on any kind of hiring decisions, I think, just to see kind of how things settled out, especially after the government shutdown,” said Katherine Proctor of the Missouri Job Center. “Now with the new year, and a lot of companies have a new fiscal year going, they are starting to make those hires and post those jobs.”
Seasonal and service jobs in demand
Workers for jobs connected to warmer weather, such as landscaping and construction, are in demand. The career center is also seeing openings in the hospitality and healthcare industries.
The government report presents a more positive picture than private companies. Payroll processor ADP reported the economy added about 100,000 fewer jobs than the BLS report.
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