The State of Kansas Dept. of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics have released the latest Labor Report. Preliminary estimates show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8% in August. This is unchanged from 3.8% in July and an increase from 3.7% in August 2024. The labor force participation rate for Kansas increased to 67.0% in August.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 4,700 from July. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 1,300 over the month, while government decreased by 3,400. The largest job gains in the private sector were in leisure and hospitality, which was up over 600 jobs. The largest decrease was in trade, transportation, and utilities; which was down over 2,100 jobs.
Since August 2024 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have decreased by 10,000. This change is due to a decrease of 200 private sector jobs and a decrease of 9,800 government jobs.