TOPEKA – For the second straight month, the Kansas jobless rate inched upwards, but remained under the COVID-19 pandemic levels, according to preliminary Kansas Department of Labor figures released Friday, Nov. 18.
According to preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the KDOL and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday, Nov. 18, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% in October was up from 2.6% in September. This was a decrease from 2.9% in October 2021.
In Barton County, the rate was 2.5%, basically unchanged from 2.4 in September and up from 2.2 in October 2021. This means out of a civilian workforce of 13,114, 12,780 were employed and 334 were without jobs.
“The Kansas unemployment rate increased to 2.8% in October,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “Even with this increase, the unemployment rate remains below pre-pandemic levels.”
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 8,500 from September. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 8,000 over the month, while government increased by 500.
“Kansas private sector job estimates showed strong growth over the month adding 8,000 jobs,” said Labor economist Nathan Kessler. “The industries leading this growth include leisure and hospitality and professional and business services, both contributing 2,000 jobs. Over the year private sector jobs have increased by 3.4%.”
Since October 2021 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 40,500. This change is due to an increase of 38,700 private sector jobs and an increase of 1,800 government jobs.
Nationally, the national unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent over the month, but was 0.9 percentage point lower than in October 2021, the BLS reported Friday, Nov. 18.
Unemployment rates were higher in October in 24 states, lower in one state, and stable in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-nine states and the District had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier, one state had an increase, and 10 states had little change.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in seven states and was essentially unchanged in 43 states and the District of Columbia in October 2022. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 46 states and was essentially unchanged in 4 states and the District.
The Kansas unemployment rate is based on data collected through the Current Population Survey and estimates produced by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program. The LAUS data is produced in cooperation with the BLS, which means that the same methodology is used for all states.
The November 2022 Labor Report will be released on Friday, Dec. 16.
