Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which gained 4,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market declined by 16,088 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 149 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 250 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.5% and are up 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 August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 217,400; +100
  • Business Services: 193,600; -3,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 156,500; -1,800
  • Government: 140,700; +1,800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 111,900; +3,900
  • Manufacturing: 85,600; +4,500
  • Financial Services: 76,800; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 56,600; -100
  • Other Jobs: 41,200; -200
  • IT & Development: 13,900; -100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.