KDOLS

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 April. This was unchanged from March and up from 3.4 percent in April 2018.

“Kansas job growth bounced back in April after a slow start in 2019,” said Secretary Delía García. “This was positive news along with strong growth in hourly earnings over the last 12 months.”

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 6,900 from March. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 5,600 from the previous month.

Since April 2018, Kansas gained 12,400 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 10,500 private sector jobs.

“Job growth in Kansas rebounded in April, following weather-related declines in early 2019,” said Labor Economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Two industries showed significant growth over the month, with professional and business services increasing by 2,900 jobs and the construction industry adding 1,600 jobs in April.”

Ellis County’s rate was down .4 percent from March. The unemployment rates, which were up in March for Trego and Rooks counties, but decreased in April. Trego County’s rate went from 4.1 percent to 3.6 percent  and Rooks County went from 4.3 percent to 3.6 percent.

Unemployment rates for Ness and Barton Counties fell to below 3 percent, and Russell County was at 3 percent, and Rush County was at 3.4 percent, which were all decreases over the previous month.

However, Rush, Rooks, Russell and Trego counties all had slight increases in unemployment year over year.