Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.0% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 3,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 1,423 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 126 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 120 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 0.6% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 223,500; +3,300
  • Business Services: 195,600; +1,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 159,700; +700
  • Government: 147,300; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 106,900; -400
  • Manufacturing: 84,900; +2,600
  • Financial Services: 76,700; +600
  • Construction, Mining: 54,100; -1,100
  • Other Jobs: 41,100; +400
  • IT & Development: 13,600; +100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.