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 3.9 percent in October. This was unchanged from 3.9 percent in September and a decrease from 4.7 percent in October 2020.
“The Kansas unemployment rate remains steady at 3.9 percent. Additionally, for the fifth consecutive month Kansas nonfarm jobs estimates have increased,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “October estimates indicate that the hardest hit industry during the pandemic, leisure and hospitality, has recovered nearly 82 percent of jobs since April 2020."
The jobless rate in Ellis County fell slightly, from 2.1 percent in September to 2 percent in October. Barton County was the only area county with a jobless rate of 3 percent or higher. The state's lowest unemployment rate was in far western Kansas' Greeley County, at 1.3 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 1,100 from September. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,500 from the previous month, while government decreased by 1,400.
“October job estimates for the private sector indicate a continuing upward trend for Kansas, with 2,500 jobs added over-the-month,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Current estimates are only 2.5 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Private sector job estimates for the U.S. are also 2.5 percent below February 2020 levels."
Since October 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 30,900. This change is due to an increase of 28,800 private sector jobs and 2,100 government jobs.