Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market rose by 13,813 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 82 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is equal to the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 5.3% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 224,700; -2,100
  • Business Services: 191,400; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 164,500; +100
  • Government: 147,300; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 112,100; +2,800
  • Manufacturing: 86,300; +900
  • Financial Services: 79,800; +600
  • Construction, Mining: 59,100; +2,700
  • Other Jobs: 44,800; +100
  • IT & Development: 16,800; no change
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.