Kansas Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 3.8%, Well Below National Average
State adds nearly 4,000 jobs in November as health care hiring offsets losses in restaurants and federal workforce
TOPEKA — Kansas employers added 3,800 jobs in November while the state's unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent, significantly outperforming the national rate of 4.6 percent, according to data released by the Kansas Department of Labor.
The state's job market showed strength across several industries, with trade, transportation and utilities leading the way by adding 1,500 positions. Manufacturing and construction also posted solid gains, adding 1,300 and 1,100 jobs respectively. However, not all sectors shared in the growth. Restaurants and hotels continued to struggle, shedding 300 jobs in November and losing nearly 3,700 positions over the past year — a trend that suggests ongoing challenges for the hospitality industry even as the broader economy expands.
The data revealed a tale of two government sectors. While state and local governments added modestly to their payrolls, the federal workforce in Kansas shrank dramatically, falling 10 percent over the past year with the loss of 2,700 positions. Health care emerged as the state's most consistent job creator, adding 3,500 positions over the year as demand for medical services continues to rise. Workers also saw their paychecks grow faster than inflation, with average hourly earnings climbing to $32.70 — a 2.5 percent increase in purchasing power after accounting for rising prices.
Regional unemployment varied across the state, with the Kansas City metro area's Kansas counties and Lawrence posting some of the lowest jobless rates around 3 percent, while rural areas showed mixed results. The Wichita area saw notable improvement, with its unemployment rate dropping from 4.2 percent a year ago to 3.4 percent. Kansas continues to boast a higher share of working-age residents participating in the labor force — 67.4 percent compared to 62.5 percent nationally — suggesting the state's tight labor market is drawing more people into employment.
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