Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8% in June, according to a media release from the KDOL. This is unchanged from 3.8% in May and an increase from 3.7% in June 2025. The labor force participation rate for Kansas decreased to 67.0% in June.
The unemployment rate in Barton County is up from 3.9 percent in May to 4.2 percent in June. The rate is also up slightly in Rush, Pawnee and Ellsworth and counties.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 3,300 from May. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 3,500 over the month, while government decreased by 200. The largest job gains in the private sector were in manufacturing (+2,700 jobs). The largest decrease was in private education and health services (-1,500 jobs).
Since June 2025 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 12,100. This change is due to an increase of 13,200 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,100 government jobs.