Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 8,893 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 5.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 69 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 210 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in June versus prior month by -2.2% 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 June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 216,500; +2,500
  • Business Services: 194,900; -600
  • Education & Healthcare: 157,400; +400
  • Government: 146,400; -1,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 107,700; +5,500
  • Manufacturing: 81,000; +1,900
  • Financial Services: 77,100; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 55,900; +1,200
  • Other Jobs: 41,700; +400
  • IT & Development: 14,000; -100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.