Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market declined by 68 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 5.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 50 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 540 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in May versus prior month by -3.0% 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 214,800; +700
  • Business Services: 193,800; +1,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 156,700; +300
  • Government: 147,500; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 102,400; +5,000
  • Manufacturing: 79,200; +2,100
  • Financial Services: 76,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 54,500; -200
  • Other Jobs: 41,300; +400
  • IT & Development: 14,200; -100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.