Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 4,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 10,244 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 58 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 3.5% 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 July 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 216,900; -500
  • Business Services: 185,600; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 158,500; -700
  • Government: 139,700; -4,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 109,600; +100
  • Manufacturing: 79,800; +400
  • Financial Services: 76,900; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 61,800; +100
  • Other Jobs: 42,100; +300
  • IT & Development: 16,500; +200
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry July 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on September 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.