Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 10 percent in May. This was a decrease from 11.9 percent in April and an increase from 3.1 percent in May 2019.
“During Governor Kelly's response to stop the spread of COVID-19, preliminary estimates show Kansas took a step in the right direction in May,” said Secretary Delía García. “The unemployment rate in Kansas fell nearly two percentage points from 11.9 percent in April to 10.0 percent in May and the state gained over 24,000 jobs compared to last month. This follows historic job losses seen across the nation in March and April due to COVID-19.”
The jobless rate in Ellis County fell from 7.1 percent in April to 5.8 percent in May — still remarkably high for western Kansas, which is also dealing with a downturn in the regional oil economy.
Compared to April, the unemployment rate across northwest Kansas fell in nearly every county. Graham, Russell and Barton counties still had jobless rates over 6 percent in May.
Urban and eastern Kansas counties continued to record double-digit unemployment, with Sedgwick, Geary and several Kansas City-area counties posting jobless rates above 10 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 24,200 from April. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 29,500 from the previous month, while government decreased by 5,300 jobs.
“Preliminary May estimates released today show Kansas gained back 17 percent of the jobs lost in March and April due to efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink. “The reference period for the payroll survey was the pay period including the 12th of May, during this time Kansas was in Phase One of Governor Kelly's reopening plan.”
Since May 2019, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have declined by 110,100. This change is due to a decrease of 94,900 private sector jobs and 15,200 government jobs.
