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 2.9% in March. This is unchanged from 2.9% in February and an increase from 2.4% in March 2022.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 2,200 from February. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 2,900 over the month, while government increased by 700.
The Saline County jobless rate fell slightly from 3.2 percent in February to 2.8 percent in March. Most counties in central Kansas also saw a slight drop in the unemployment rate. In western Kansas, Trego County's unemployment was the highest jumping from 3.5 percent in February to 4 percent in March.
Since March 2022 Kansas' seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 37,100. This change is due to an increase of 33,200 private sector jobs and an increase of 3,900 government jobs.
The April 2023 Labor Report will be released on May 19.