TOPEKA  – The state of Kansas gained 16,900 nonfarm jobs and 19,300 private sector jobs since January 2012, the Kansas Department of Labor reported this week.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed unchanged from December at 5.5 percent. Triggered by seasonal factors, the state lost 19,400 private sector jobs and 27,700 nonfarm jobs since December 2012.
In Barton County, the non-adjusted rate for January was 4.3, up from 3.8 in December, but down from  4.5 in January of 2012. In other words, out of a potential labor force of 16,244, 5,551 were employed last month, leaving 693 out of work.
“After seasonal factors are accounted for, Kansas started the year with healthy job growth in the private sector,”  said Tyler Tenbrink, senior labor economist. “This is on top of favorable annual revisions to the 2011 and 2012 employment estimates.”
Eight of the 11 major industries showed job gains since January 2012. Professional and business services added 8,600 jobs. Leisure and hospitality gained 3,000 jobs. Financial activities gained 2,400 jobs.
“The Kansas labor market has continued to improve adding more than 19,000 private sector jobs this past year,” said Lana Gordon, secretary of labor. “This is a positive start for 2013 that we hope to see continue.”
Annually, the monthly statistics are revised according to standards set by the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information, visit www.dol.ks.gov.                                                                                    
The 2013 February Labor Report will be released on March 28.