Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 7.5 percent in June. This was a decrease from 10.0 percent in May and an increase from 3.1 percent in June 2019.
“As statewide guidance for the 'Ad Astra Plan to Reopen Kansas' recommended moving to Phase Three in June, the unemployment rate in Kansas fell to 7.5 percent as more Kansans returned to work,” said Acting Secretary Ryan Wright. “While showing improvement, unemployment remains at a higher level than before the pandemic. There are currently four active unemployment programs for the many Kansans that are still unemployed."
After rising to more than 7 percent in April in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ellis County unemployment rates continue to fall in June. The jobless rate went from 5.8 percent in May to 4.1 percent in June.
June numbers showed a return to more familiar numbers for most of northwest Kansas, with several counties posting unemployment rates below 3 percent. Graham County's 6 percent was the highest in the region, with Russell County rates measured at 5.5 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 30,200 from May. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 30,200 from the previous month, while government stayed unchanged.
“Kansas employers added over 30,000 jobs in June,” said Labor Economist, Emilie Doerksen. “This combined with significant job growth in May shows that Kansas has recovered 37.4 percent of the jobs lost in March and April due to measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This is compared to the 33.8 percent of nonfarm jobs recovered so far for the U.S."
Since June 2019, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have declined by 78,400. This change is due to a decrease of 65,500 private sector jobs and 12,900 government jobs.
