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 3.2 percent in February. This was a decrease from 3.4 percent in January and is unchanged from 3.2 percent in February 2020.
“The rate of recovery accelerated in February for the leisure and hospitality industry, with Kansas employers adding 3,900 jobs,” said Acting Secretary Amber Shultz. “This growth was offset by losses in other industries. Construction saw the largest decline over-the-month falling by 3,100, which is likely the result of severe winter weather impacting the state during the reference week."
Unemployment rates fell in most northwest Kansas counties, with Ellis County showing a decrease from 3.7 percent in January to 2.7 percent in February.
Graham County had the highest jobless rate in the region at 5.4 percent, while Greeley County in far western Kansas had the state's lowest unemployment rate at 1.4 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs decreased by 5,200 from January. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, decreased by 4,200 from the previous month, while government decreased by 1,000.
“Kansas continues to see recovery with continued decline in the unemployment rate at 3.2 percent for February,” said Labor Economist Todd Rilinger. “However, the alternative measures of labor underutilization show that Kansas still has a ways to go. Broader measures of unemployment, including discouraged workers and individuals working part time for economic reasons, remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels."
Since February 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have declined by 70,500. This change is due to a decrease of 56,500 private sector jobs and 14,000 government jobs.