Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 6,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 11,087 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 50 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 50 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 5.7% 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 April 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 224,800; +400
  • Business Services: 194,900; +2,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 165,700; +1,000
  • Government: 147,700; +700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 117,800; +6,300
  • Manufacturing: 85,100; -400
  • Financial Services: 79,600; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 61,300; +1,600
  • Other Jobs: 44,800; +100
  • IT & Development: 16,900; +100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry April 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.