Workforce Overview

when it comes to human capital, St. Charles County has long been recognized in the St. Louis bi-state region for having and attracting well-educated, highly skilled, productive, stable employees at wage rates competitive with the rest of the U.S.

While the majority of employees in St. Charles County live in the community, the region’s excellent labor force also commutes to work here from nine surrounding counties in Missouri and Illinois.

The workforce in St. Charles County is abundant and enjoys higher rates of employment.
For more than 20 years, St. Charles County has consistently enjoyed lower unemployment rates than the rest of the St. Louis MSA, Missouri, and the U.S. This is a testament to the success of area businesses and demand for the skills and productivity inherent in the community’s labor force.


July 2011 Workforce Overview

St. Charles County St. Louis MSA (MO) Missouri
Total Labor Force 198,541 1,110,230 3,021,678
Total Employment 183,882 1,012,602 2,759,161
Total Unemployment 14,659 97,628 262,517
Unemployment Rate 7.4% 8.8% 8.7%

Sources: Missouri Dept. of Economic Development/MERIC in cooperation with the U.S. Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (August 2010)

The workforce in St. Charles County is well-educated.
Nearly 43 percent of local residents 25 years or older have completed their college education ranging from associate to graduate level. Compared to the rest of Missouri and the United States, a higher percentage of
St. Charles County residents have earned associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees, according to 2009 educational attainment estimates by DemographicsNOW.


2010 Educational Attainment Comparison

St. Charles County Missouri U.S.
Associates Degree 8.9% 6.8% 7.7%
Bachelor’s Degree 23.6% 16.1% 17.7%
Graduate Degree 10.8% 9.1% 10.4%

Sources: DemographicsNOW and EDC of St. Charles County (August 2010)

The workforce of St. Charles County is highly stable.
The workforce of St. Charles County is also highly stable when various social factors are considered such as home ownership, longevity in the community, household and family structure.


Stability Factors for St. Charles County Workforce

St. Charles County Missouri U.S.
Median Age 37.3 37.7 37.1
Owner Occupied Housing Units 78.4% 61.8% 59.0%
Now Married 62.3% 53.9% 52.2%
Family Households with Children 43.3% 32.7% 33.6%
Stability (% in Res 5+ Yrs) 38.1% 32.2% 34.9%

Sources: DemographicsNOW and EDC of St. Charles County (August 2010)

The workforce in St. Charles County performs at competitive wage rates.
In most instances, wage rates in St. Charles County are at or below the average mean level for the St. Louis region and the U.S. Competitive wages for well-educated, highly skilled, productive labor means significant operational cost savings for businesses investing and growing in the community.


May 2009 Employment and Wage Data

Occupational Groups
SOC Code
St. Charles County Mean Annual Wage
St. Louis MSA (MO)
U.S. Mean Average Wage
Management Occupation

110000

$101,359

$105,650

$102,900
Business and Financial Operations Occupations

130000

$57,482

$61,969

$65,900
Computer and Mathematical Occupations

150000

$76,522

$71,297

$76,290
Architecture and Engineering Occupations

170000

$65,485

$71,559

$73,590
Life Physical and Social Services Occupations

190000

$63,988

$61,484

$65,660
Community and Social Services Occupations

210000

$44,164

$40,684

$42,750
Legal Occupations

230000

$57,639

$88,456

$95,820
Education Training and Library Occupations

250000

$42,521

$49,421

$49,530
Arts Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media Occupations

270000

$42,521

$50,016

$51,720
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations

290000

$57,195

$62,535

$69,690
Healthcare Support Occupations

310000

$25,079

$25,750

$26,710
Protective Service Occupations

330000

$40,861

$38,369

$41,740
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

350000

$18,933

$19,694

$20,880
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

370000

$25,389

$24,814

$24,970
Personal Care and Service Occupations

390000

$21,125

$23,160

$24,680
Sales and Related Occupations

410000

$34,912

$39,230

$36,020
Office and Administrative Support Occupations

430000

$31,302

$33,491

$32,990
Farming Fishing and Forestry Occupations

450000

$27,799

$28,984

$23,990
Construction and Extraction Occupations

470000

$54,272

$54,202

$43,350
Installation Maintenance and Repair Occupations

490000

$42,346

$44,047

$42,210
Production Occupations

510000

$37,168

$35,466

$33,290
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

530000

$31,975

$32,609

$32,180

Sources: Data produced by the Missouri Dept. of Economic Development / MERIC in cooperation with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational Employment and Wage data is based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) taxonomy.

New and existing companies can tap into the community’s excellent labor force through the Missouri Career Center and the St. Charles County Department of Workforce Development. This State and County partnership can help businesses find qualified workers through a state-wide database, provide applicant screening assistance, and other human resource services.

 

Their online service at MissouriCareerSource.com is designed to help companies posting open positions and find out about the latest workforce assistance programs, those looking for employment or wanting to post their resume, and professionals who are looking to further refine their skills or stay in touch with career trends in Missouri.

 

For more information about the Missouri Career Center and their services in St. Charles County, call
636-255-6060. Workforce and related business and community information is also available online through the Missouri Department of Economic Development / MERIC.


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