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 3.2% in July. This is an increase from 3.0% in June and an increase from 2.6% in July 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,700 from June. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 3,900 over the month, while government decreased by 5,600.
The unemployment rate in Geary County is up from 5 percent in June to 5.4 percent in July. The rate Riley County is up from 4 percent in June to 4.2 percent in July. The rate in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties is also up.
“Kansas employers in the private sector added jobs in July. However this growth was offset by a decline in government jobs, which resulted in the overall decrease for total nonfarm estimates,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The private sector job growth was led by an increase in professional and business services jobs as well as a continued upward trend for trade, transportation, and utilities.”
Since July 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 21,100. This change is due to an increase of 22,800 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,700 government jobs.
Click here for the complete Kansas labor market information for July.