Great Bend Post
Jul 24, 2023

Jobless rate up in Barton County, across the region

Posted Jul 24, 2023 8:00 PM
June 2023 Kansas Department of Labor
June 2023 Kansas Department of Labor

TOPEKA, Kan. – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% in June. This is a decrease from 2.9% in May and an increase from 2.6% in June 2022.

“After remaining unchanged for seven consecutive months, the Kansas unemployment rate declined in June to end the second quarter at 2.8%,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “This is an increase from 2.6% one year ago, but is still one of the lowest unemployment rates recorded in the state of Kansas.”

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,000 from May. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 300 over the month, while government increased by 700.

The jobless rate in Barton County jumped from 2.7 percent in May to 3 percent in June. Pawnee Russell and most counties in the region also saw an increase.

“Average nominal hourly earnings in the Kansas private sector grew 2.3% over the year in June, as national inflation rates slowed for the twelfth consecutive month,” said labor economist, Nathan Kessler.

“While they remain above the Federal Reserve target, inflation rates are now more aligned with wage growth compared to much of the past 18 months.”

Since June 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 31,900. This change is due to an increase of 27,200 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,700 government jobs.