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 2.9% in April. This is unchanged from 2.9% in March and an increase from 2.4% in April 2022, according to a release from the KDOL.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 200 from March. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 500 over the month, while government increased by 300.
The Saline County jobless rate fell slightly from 2.8 percent in March to 2.5 percent in April. Most counties in central Kansas also saw a slight drop in the unemployment rate. In western Kansas, Trego County saw a the most significant drop in the state. Unemployment is down from 4 percent in March to 3.1 percent in April.
“April 2023 estimates indicate average nominal hourly earnings for the private sector increased 3.8% over the year,” said Labor Economist Nathan Kessler. “Although inflation continues to grow faster than hourly earnings in the private sector, several industries have experienced growth in real wages, most notably manufacturing and leisure and hospitality.”
Since April 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 32,100. This change is due to an increase of 27,800 private sector jobs and an increase of 4,300 government jobs.