Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.1% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 3,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market declined by 13,316 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.1%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 69 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 110 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 4.4% 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 August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 217,700; +700
  • Business Services: 187,900; +3,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 162,000; +2,100
  • Government: 140,100; +600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 106,300; -2,500
  • Manufacturing: 81,000; +1,400
  • Financial Services: 75,700; -1,100
  • Construction, Mining: 61,600; -400
  • Other Jobs: 42,000; -200
  • IT & Development: 16,400; -100
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.