Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in March. This was up from 3.4 percent in February and up from 3.4 percent in March 2018.

“Kansas gained 5,900 jobs, when compared to March of last year,” said Acting Secretary Delía Garcia. “The industries gaining the most jobs were Manufacturing and Education and Health Services.”

The jobless rate rose slightly in Ellis County — from 2.5 percent to 2.7 percent — but jumped in two neighboring counties. Trego County unemployment rose from 3.7 percent to 4.1 percent, while the unemployment rate in Rooks County rose from 3.9 percent to 4.3 percent. The Rooks County jobless rate is the highest in the western two-thirds of the state.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs decreased by 2,500 from February. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, decreased by 1,700 from the previous month.

“Kansas employers reported fewer jobs in March when compared to February, however comparison with March of last year shows the state has 5,300 additional private sector jobs and an increase in earnings of $1.39 per hour,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink.

Since March 2018, Kansas gained 5,900 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 5,300 private sector jobs.