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 2.6 percent in September. This was an increase from 2.5 percent in August and a decrease from 3.0% in September 2021.
“The unemployment rate edged up to 2.6 percent in September,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “Despite this small increase, the unemployment rate has remained below pre-pandemic rates each month since last September.”
The Barton County jobless rate fell just over half a percentage point to 2.4 percent in September. Pawnee, Rice, Stafford and Edwards saw a similar drop. The rate in Ellis County is now less than 2 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 500 from August. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 1,600 over the month, while government decreased by 1,100.
“Kansas job estimates for the private sector indicate 2.5 percent growth compared to last September,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “The manufacturing and trade, transportation, and utilities industries saw the largest gains during this period.”
Since September 2021 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 27,500. This change is due to an increase of 28,300 private sector jobs and a decrease of 800 government jobs.