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 April. This is unchanged from 3.9% in March and an increase from 3.8% in April 2025. The labor force participation rate for Kansas decreased to 67.4% in April, according to a media release from the KDOL.
The unemployment rate in Barton County dropped from 4.7 percent in February to 3.5 percent in April.
The rate also is down in Pawnee, Rush and Russell counties.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 4,300 from March. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 4,500 over the month, while government decreased by 200. The largest job gains in the private sector were in construction (+1,600 jobs). The largest decrease was in manufacturing (-1,000 jobs).
Since April 2025 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have decreased by 3,300. This change is due to a decrease of 2,000 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,300 government jobs.