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 3.9% in March. This is unchanged from 3.9% in February and an increase from 3.8% in March 2025. The labor force participation rate for Kansas decreased to 67.6% in March, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.
The unemployment rate in Barton County dropped from to 4.7 percent in February to 4 percent in March. The rate is also down in Pawnee, Russell and Ellsworth counties.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,200 from February. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 1,000 over the month, while government decreased by 200. The largest job gains in the private sector were in trade, transportation, and utilities (+500 jobs). The largest decrease was in professional and business services (-900 jobs).
Since March 2025 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have decreased by 4,100. This change is due to a decrease of 3,000 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,100 government jobs.