TOPEKA – Unemployment rates in Ellis County fell slightly last month, dropping from 2.8 percent in February to 2.7 in March, the most recent figures available.

 

The Kansas Department of Labor reported Friday the March seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent statewide, unchanged from February and down from 5.5 percent in March 2013.

Kansas gained 17,200 seasonally adjusted private sector jobs, an increase of 1.6 percent since last year, and 17,300 nonfarm jobs, a 1.3 percent increase. Since last month, Kansas gained 2,200 private sector jobs, an increase of 0.2 percent, and 2,500 nonfarm jobs, an increase of 0.2 percent.

“The Kansas economy continues its drive of private sector job growth and low unemployment,” Secretary of Labor Lana Gordon said. “This month, the state surpassed 50,000 private sector jobs added since January 2011. This report demonstrates confidence in the labor market that Kansans are ready to work and are able to find jobs.”

Senior Labor Economist Tyler Tenbrink said the numbers suggest the labor market is gaining strength.

“This month, Kansas added to the number of jobs gained since this time last year and recorded increases in average weekly hours worked as well as average hourly earnings in the private sector,” he said. “Improvement in these areas suggest employers are responding to increased demand for goods and services.”

There were 9,669 initial claims for unemployment benefits in March 2014, down from 11,121 initial claims in February 2014 and down from 15,067 last year. There were 108,777 continued claims in March 2014, up from 100,071 the previous month and down from 128,239 in March 2013. These numbers include all available programs.

The April Labor Report will be released May 15.