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 3.6% in December. This is an increase from 3.5% in November and an increase from 2.6% in December 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 1,200 from November. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 500 over the month, while government increased by 700.
The unemployment rate in Riley County is steady and remains at 3.1 percent. The rate in Geary and Pottawatomie counties is also unchanged from November. Geary County is steady at 5 percent. Pottawatomie County at 2.7 percent. Wabaunsee saw a drop from 3 to 2.7 percent. Dickinson County saw a jump from 3.4 percent in November to 5.5 percent.
“Kansas ended the year with little change in the labor market,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1,200 over the month while the unemployment rate edged up to 3.6%.”
Since December 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 18,400. This change is due to an increase of 13,300 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,100 government jobs.
Complete Kansas labor market information for December is available here.