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 July. This is a decrease from 2.8% in June and unchanged from 2.7% in July 2022.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,000 from June. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 1,500 over the month, while government increased by 500.
The jobless rate in Geary County is down from 4.2 percent in June to 4.1 percent in July. Pottawatomie and Riley County is also down from June. However, Wabaunsee County is up a tick from 2.8 percent in June to 2.9 percent in July.
“Average nominal hourly earnings in the private sector increased 3.2% over the year in July, faster than the rate of inflation in the Midwest,” said labor economist, Nathan Kessler. “The result was a small over the year increase in real hourly earnings as the Kansas labor market remains strong and inflation continues to moderate.”
Since July 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 23,100. This change is due to an increase of 18,700 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,400 government jobs.