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 2.8% in December. This is a decrease from 2.9% in November and a decrease from 2.9% in December 2022, according to a media release from the department.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 300 from November. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 700 over the month, while government increased by 400.
The unemployment rate in Geary County is down from 4.2 percent in October and 3.3 in November to 2.8 percent last month. The rate in Riley County remained unchanged from 1.7 percent in November. The rate is also down or unchanged in counties across the region.
Since December 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 11,400. This change is due to an increase of 3,200 private sector jobs and an increase of 8,200 government jobs.
“Following three months of job gains, Kansas nonfarm job estimates were essentially unchanged in December,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Although job growth slowed in December, the state continues to see improvement compared to estimates for 2022.”
Complete Kansas labor market information for December is available by clicking here.