TOPEKA, Kan. – Overall labor markets in February continued the recent trend in private sector job gains over the year adding 15,400 jobs across several industries. The widespread increases, if continued, indicate a healthier and perhaps sustainable growth in the labor markets.

“In February, the private sector gained another 2,000 seasonally adjusted jobs statewide, ” said Tyler Tenbrink, Senior Labor Economist. “This marks the fourth consecutive month of healthy job growth in Kansas and contributes to a combined total increase of more than 12,000 private sector jobs since October.”

Gains in the private sector were spread across several industries including professional and business services and financial activities. Although adding some jobs in February, manufacturing has seen slower job growth in recent months.

Building permit data continues to show improvement which could perhaps continue to help employment in the construction industry in coming months as the weather improves.

“Our state saw across-the-board growth in 7 of the 10 major private sector industries this month,” said Lana Gordon, Secretary of Labor. “These job gains are very encouraging, particularly those in the professional and business services industry.”

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined from 6.2 to 5.8 percent, while the smooth seasonally adjusted number remained steady at 5.5 percent for the fourth month. In February 2012, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9 percent.