Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 7,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 23,892 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 100 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 126 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 300 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in July versus prior month by -1.4% and are equal 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 July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 217,100; +400
  • Business Services: 198,400; +3,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 159,500; +2,200
  • Government: 138,500; -7,400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 107,700; +700
  • Manufacturing: 81,100; +300
  • Financial Services: 76,500; -1,100
  • Construction, Mining: 56,500; +700
  • Other Jobs: 41,400; -100
  • IT & Development: 14,100; +100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.