TOPEKA – 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 2.9 percent in April. This is unchanged from 2.9 percent in March and an increase from 2.4 percent in April 2022.
Ellis County's jobless rate stayed flat at 2.1 percent compared to March. Trego County's unemployment dropped from 4 percent in March to 3.1 percent in April.
Jewell, Decatur and Lane counties in northwest Kansas also had unemployment rates above 3 percent in April.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 200 from March. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 500 over the month, while government increased by 300.
“April 2023 estimates indicate average nominal hourly earnings for the private sector increased 3.8 percent over the year,” said Labor Economist Nathan Kessler. “Although inflation continues to grow faster than hourly earnings in the private sector, several industries have experienced growth in real wages, most notably manufacturing and leisure and hospitality.”
Since April 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 32,100. This change is due to an increase of 27,800 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,300 government jobs.
Complete Kansas labor market information for April is available here.
The May 2023 Labor Report will be released on Friday, June 16.