Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.9% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which lost 3,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market declined by 1,959 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 165 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in February versus prior month by -2.3% 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 February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.8%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 214,200; -2,700
  • Business Services: 184,800; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 154,900; +500
  • Government: 146,200; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 88,100; -100
  • Manufacturing: 77,500; -3,300
  • Financial Services: 77,200; -900
  • Construction, Mining: 46,200; -2,200
  • Other Jobs: 40,600; -100
  • IT & Development: 14,300; no change
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.