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 3.6 percent in November. This was a decrease from 3.9 percent in October and a decrease from 4.7 percent in November 2020.
“In November, the Kansas labor market saw the unemployment rate decline to 3.6 percent. Nonfarm job estimates increased by 2,700 jobs over the month,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “The labor force participation rate did decrease in November, but is still at pre-pandemic levels.”
Several counties in northwest Kansas fell below 2 percent unemployment, with Ellis County falling from 2 percent in October to just 1.4 percent in November. The jobless rate in Wallace County was just 0.8 percent.
No county west of Wichita had an unemployment rate higher than Grant County's 2.7 percent in November.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 2,700 from October. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,400 from the previous month, while government increased by 300.
“The largest over-the-month job gains in November were in trade, transportation, and utilities, as well as leisure and hospitality,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Both of these industries experienced significant declines early in the pandemic, but have seen a steady recovery since April 2020. Trade, transportation, and utilities have seen relatively strong growth and is now 3.3 percent above pre-pandemic levels.”
Since November 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 35,400. This change is due to an increase of 33,000 private sector jobs and 2,400 government jobs.