Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in June. This was an increase from 3.5 percent in May and a decrease from 7.0 percent in June 2020.
“The labor force grew in June as the number of Kansans seeking employment increased,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “This resulted in a slight increase in the unemployment rate to 3.7 percent."
The jobless rate jumped in counties across the region over May. The Geary County unemployment rate rose from 4.9 percent in May to 5.8 percent in June.
Riley, Pottawatomie and Clay Counties saw a similar increase over 1 percent. Wabaunsee County only saw an increase from 2.6 in May to 3.1 percent in June.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 8,100 from May. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 100 from the previous month, while government increased by 8,000.
“Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 8,100 in June, with the majority of these gains in state and local government. The pandemic disrupted typical seasonal hiring patterns for public schools, which contributed to this large over-the-month change.” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Even with these job gains, government job estimates remain 1.8 percent lower than pre-pandemic estimates for February 2020."
Since June 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 51,400. This change is due to an increase of 40,100 private sector jobs and 11,300 government jobs.