Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in January. This was up from 3.3 percent in December and down from 3.5 percent in January 2018.
Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in January. This was up from 3.3 percent in December and down from 3.5 percent in January 2018.
While still extremely low, the jobless rate in Riley County jumped from 2.7 percent in December to 3.6 percent in January.
Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee and Clay counties all saw a slight increase in unemployment rates. Geary County saw an increase from 4.6 to 5.6 percent.
“The revised 2018 annual data for the state is included in today’s Labor Market Report,” said Secretary Delía Garcia. “In that data, of note is that the number of Kansans participating in the labor force has increased for the first time since 2014, and with increased employment and fewer Kansans unemployed, the 2018 unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent.”
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 500 from December. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 1,100 from the previous month.
“Establishment survey data shows Kansas employers have been raising wages at an increasing rate,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink. “The labor market is historically tight right now and many employers are struggling to fill open positions. This, in turn, has put upward pressure on wages.”
Since January 2018, Kansas gained 14,300 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 13,700 private sector jobs.