Springfield, MO is the central commercial city of the Ozarks region and serves as the economic hub of the southwestern Missouri metropolitan area.

As of 2024, the population of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area is approximately 490,000, and the economy of this region is primarily composed of healthcare, retail, education, manufacturing, and logistics. Springfield is one of the three largest cities in Missouri (following Kansas City and St. Louis), and the local GDP has shown steady growth.

One of Springfield's largest employers is in the healthcare sector. CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield are the region's largest employers, and together, these two hospital systems employ over 15,000 people.

Springfield functions as a medical hub for the entire Ozarks region, attracting residents from nearby small towns and rural areas seeking specialized medical services. The healthcare industry encompasses not just hospital services but also medical devices, biotech, senior care, and rehabilitation services, forming a related industrial ecosystem that plays a crucial role in the local economy.

In the retail and logistics sectors, Bass Pro Shops is an iconic company in Springfield. Founded in 1972 in Springfield, Bass Pro Shops has grown into a global outdoor retailer with over 200 stores worldwide, and its headquarters remains in Springfield. Thousands of employees work at the Springfield headquarters and distribution center, and the direct and indirect impact of this company on the local economy is significant.

Additionally, O'Reilly Automotive Parts is headquartered in Springfield and operates over 6,000 stores nationwide as a major automotive parts retail chain. These two companies play a key role in establishing Springfield as the "retail center of the Midwest."

The education sector is also a vital part of Springfield's economy. Missouri State University has about 24,000 students enrolled, and when including faculty and related service industries, it creates substantial employment in the area. Drury University and Evangel University are also located in Springfield, contributing to its identity as a college town.

As a college town, research and development, IT startups, and creative industries are also growing, and there are ongoing community efforts to foster a tech startup ecosystem in the Springfield area. In the manufacturing sector, companies related to agricultural machinery, food processing, and construction materials are distributed throughout the Springfield metropolitan area, maintaining a traditional manufacturing base.