Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 7,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 7,297 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 116 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 70 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 6% 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 January 2023

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 227,500; -7,100
  • Business Services: 192,400; -1,500
  • Education & Healthcare: 166,600; +1,800
  • Government: 145,200; -1,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 109,300; -500
  • Manufacturing: 86,300; -200
  • Financial Services: 78,800; -1,100
  • Construction, Mining: 56,800; -900
  • Other Jobs: 45,100; +100
  • IT & Development: 16,900; no change
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.