Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Kansas City, MO-KS market declined by 6,406 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Kansas City, MO-KS unemployment rate is 68 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 230 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 5.2% 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 May 2022

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 217,500; -1,100
  • Business Services: 187,100; +900
  • Education & Healthcare: 157,100; +400
  • Government: 145,100; +700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 107,500; +1,600
  • Manufacturing: 77,600; +1,200
  • Financial Services: 76,600; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 59,700; +1,100
  • Other Jobs: 40,800; -500
  • IT & Development: 16,100; -200
Kansas City, MO-KS Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.