TOPEKA, Kan. – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.7% in March. This is unchanged from 2.7% in February and unchanged from 2.7% in March 2023, according to a media release from KDOL.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 6,400 from February. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 5,500 over the month, while government increased by 900.
The unemployment rate in Barton County dropped from 3.3 percent in February to 3 percent in March. Pawnee County saw a decline from 3 to 2.8 percent. The rate is also down in most counties across the region.
Since March 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 21,800. This change is due to an increase of 16,400 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,400 government jobs.
“Preliminary estimates for March 2024 indicate strong job growth in Kansas, with total nonfarm jobs increasing 1.5% over the year, a gain of 21,800,” said labor economist, Nathan Kessler. “Private education and health services added 9,000 jobs, while government jobs increased by 5,400 since March 2023.”