Jobs in Missouri? What's it like living there?

TedH71 · #1 08/18/10, 05:01 PM

As I mentioned, I went to Branson, MO with family. We loved it. I noticed that housing prices are much more reasonable. I told my wife I would like to try to get a job in the Springfield or Branson areas. What kind of work is out there those days? I have two certificates in Machining Technology and Composite Technology (high tech plastic manufacturing). Are there any jobs out there that I would qualify for or could try to apply for? I liked the hills and the fact that the state has more trees than we have in Kansas!

silverbackMP · #2 08/18/10, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH71

As I mentioned, I went to Branson, MO with family. We loved it. I noticed that housing prices are much more reasonable. I told my wife I would like to try to get a job in the Springfield or Branson areas. What kind of work is out there those days? I have two certificates in Machining Technology and Composite Technology (high tech plastic manufacturing). Are there any jobs out there that I would qualify for or could try to apply for? I liked the hills and the fact that the state has more trees than we have in Kansas!

Perhaps try the University of MO at Rolla for employment? Its a engineering/mining school so that may need somebody with that skill set. Or Fort Leondard Wood; Chemical School, Military Police School, and Engineer schools. There may be some contractor jobs there.

Batt · #3 08/18/10, 05:57 PM

Of the 2 places you mentioned, Springfield would be the more likely. Larger population base. Branson is more of a tourist destination. Defiantly more trees than Kansas.

mickm · #4 08/18/10, 07:26 PM

Base pay will probably be about 70% of what you make in Wichita, for most jobs, in Springfield. I don't know if there are any plants that do that type work, but I am sure there are some. There is a lot of work in Branson, but it doesn't pay much. It's a nice area, but not a lot of work.

MO_cows · #5 08/18/10, 07:46 PM

Springfield is probably the best bet for jobs in your field if you are set on southern Mo. In general taxes are lower in Mo. than Kansas. Kansas gas is always a dime or better higher than MO due to taxes on it. Don't know if it's just Johnson county, Ks or statewide, but sales tax, property taxes, etc. are a LOT higher than on the Missouri side.

Countrystyle · #6 08/19/10, 08:29 AM

Don't know much about the jobs in Spfd but here's two of the local news channels. www.ky3.com (nbc) and www.ozarksfirst.com (cbs). On the Ozarksfirst site - marketplace then business directory may help to see what is available as far as types. And here's the local paper with classifieds - http://www.news-leader.com/
Springfield is in Greene county. Cheaper to live in surrounding counties as far as taxes but then you have limited services. Hope this helps some.

suzyhomemaker09 · #7 08/19/10, 12:15 PM

Don't really have any property tax issues to compare so I can't help with that , but we live in Christian County...right next to Greene where Springfield is. We love it here.

Karenrbw · #8 08/19/10, 01:33 PM

There are some plastic manufacturing plants in the Springfield area. My husband works for an injection molding company. He did a lot of work in Springfield in the industrial park on the NE side of town. I think it would be hard to find any kind of manufacturing job these days.

Qhorseman · #9 08/20/10, 01:19 PM

There use to be a engine remanufacturing plant in Springfield, they were always looking for machinists.

Sparticle · #10 08/20/10, 02:02 PM

We love Missouri and are glad we picked it. Can't tell you much about jobs, but when I was looking for work, Ft. Leonard wood seemed to have a lot and I like that area a lot better than Springfield. The area we picked is 30 min S. E. of Lebanon and it's absolutely gorgeous and the taxes are VERY low. The rent house for my mother in law is in Wright county and our neighbors tell us the taxes there are even lower than where we are.

salmonslayer · #11 08/20/10, 11:17 PM

I really enjoyed your homesteading blog Sparticle....we have learned to deal with the tics and chiggers too!

Sparticle · #12 08/21/10, 08:13 AM

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Originally Posted by salmonslayer

I really enjoyed your homesteading blog Sparticle....we have learned to deal with the tics and chiggers too!

Thank you very much SS. Hey how close are you to Lebanon? Great blog too, I love all the picture especially the kitty cat! I couldn't figure out how to subscribe to it? I'm thinking I'd update my blog more if I posted more pictures and not worried about text so much. thanks for the inspiration.

salmonslayer · #13 08/21/10, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Hey how close are you to Lebanon?

We are about 25 miles south, not to far from where you are. All of our family is in Alaska, Canada or the PNW so we set up the site to keep everyone posted (they think we went off the deep end).

As to the OPs question on jobs, where we are at in the Ozarks the job picture is pretty slim and most folks consider $10.50 an hour to be a decent wage. But if you have a trade or particular skill you can do alright. We have retirement incomes and we sell a little here and there from our farm but we find that more and more we use barter. The factories do seem to be picking up workers again and truck driver jobs are plentiful but I know of some people around me who commute over an hour one way to work...kind of defeats the whole purpose of living in the country to enjoy a slower pace if you ask me.

Sparticle · #14 08/21/10, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salmonslayer

We are about 25 miles south, not to far from where you are.

Amazing. I'll send you our email address in case you are in this area and you guys could stop by.

crunchy_mama · #15 08/22/10, 06:55 AM

We live in South east MO dh works in manufacturing (with Briggs and Stratton) though so obviously not plastics. At his paygrade he makes good money for our area 55-$70k a year(depending on how much overtime he works- he has also been there for 16 yrs so that is not starting although sometimes people are hired in at higher ranks depending on education and experience). It is more than sufficient for us in this area at least. Of course we live fairly simply. Briggs is doing crazy business and they have been hiring some and plan to hire more IIRC. They have to at some point as they are going to have to add more production to keep up w/ demand. There was a plant in Rolla but that closed down a few years ago.

We also have a plastics manufacturing place here but I dont' think the paygrade is as good. However, we are 3 hrs or so from Springfield. Perhaps look at what different employment options you can find then check out the area. There are all kinds of beautiful places around here, no matter which direction you go.

I have always lived here and have at times dreamed over other locales, places where it is always 70 or the growing season is longer. However, with each year I think I appreciate it more. There is something to be enjoyed about the winter. We have plenty of activities to do for our desires anyway and plenty of work to keep us busy.