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 2.9% in May. This is an increase from 2.8% in April and an increase from 2.6% in May 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 100 from April.
The unemployment rate in Riley County is up from 2.5 percent in April to 3 percent in May. The rate in Geary County is also up from from 3.7 to 4.3 percent. The rate in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties is also up slightly.
Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 300 over the month, while government increased by 400.
“Preliminary estimates for May indicate little change over the month,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Total nonfarm job estimates increased by 100, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.9%, and the labor force participation rate held steady at 66.1%.”
Since May 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 24,000. This change is due to an increase of 18,700 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,300 government jobs.
Click here for the complete Kansas labor market information for May.