Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 6,997 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 165 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 910 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in April versus prior month by -7.8% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 215,200; +100
  • Business Services: 191,900; +1,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 156,300; -400
  • Government: 146,900; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 96,600; +3,900
  • Manufacturing: 77,300; -3,100
  • Financial Services: 76,500; -700
  • Construction, Mining: 55,300; +2,900
  • Other Jobs: 40,900; +300
  • IT & Development: 14,200; no change
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.