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 3.3% in September. This is unchanged from 3.3% in August and an increase from 2.6% in September 2023.
“The Kansas unemployment rate held steady at 3.3% in September,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The labor force participation rate was also unchanged over the month at 66.2%, significantly higher than the U.S. rate of 62.7%.”
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,700 from August. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 800 over the month, mwhile government increased by 1,900.
The unemployment rate in Riley County dropped from 3.8 percent in August to 3.1 percent in September. The jobless rate is also down significantly in Geary, Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties. The rate in Dickinson County fell from 6 percent in August to 3.1 percent.
Since September 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 19,200. This change is due to an increase of 16,500 private sector jobs and an increase of 2,700 government jobs.