Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 6,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market declined by 481 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 119 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in November versus prior month by -0.8% 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 229,400; +6,100
  • Business Services: 198,200; +2,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 157,500; -3,000
  • Government: 147,700; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 104,300; -2,200
  • Manufacturing: 83,500; -1,300
  • Financial Services: 76,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 54,500; +300
  • Other Jobs: 41,100; no change
  • IT & Development: 13,800; +200
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.