In Kansas for March 2022, the labor force grew slightly, the number of people working fell, and the unemployment rate was unchanged, all compared to the previous month.
Data released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows a declining employment picture in Kansas for March 2022 when compared to the previous month. The unemployment rate was unchanged, but the number of jobs fell.
(Click charts and tables for larger versions.)
Using seasonally adjusted data, from February 2022 to March 2022, nonfarm employment in Kansas fell by 2,300 jobs (0.2 percent). Over the year, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs for March 2022 was higher by 19,900 (1.5 percent) over the same month last year. This is using seasonally adjusted data.
Over the year (March 2021 to March 2022), the Kansas labor force rose by 5,666 people (0.4 percent) using seasonally adjusted data from the household survey, with an increase of 3,298 (0.2 percent) over the last month.
Since summer, the monthly jobs count change has been both positive and negative. There are now 118,100 (9.3 percent) more jobs in Kansas than in April 2020, which is the low point since the pandemic’s start. There are 39,300 (2.7 percent) fewer jobs than in February 2020, just before the pandemic.
The number of unemployed persons fell from February 2022 to March 2022 by 460 persons (1.2 percent). The unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in March, down from 3.5 percent last March and unchanged from last month.
Comparing Kansas to the nation: Using seasonal data, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs is 1.45 percent higher than 12 months ago, while nationally, the same statistic is 4.50 percent higher. Non-seasonal data shows the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs is 1.64 percent higher than 12 months ago, while nationally, the same statistic is 4.63 percent higher.
To learn more about this data and what the employer and household surveys measure, see Visualization: Employment measures. Also, see Counting jobs in Kansas.
Click charts and tables for larger versions.
The following chart shows job changes from the previous month, and we can see both positive and negative changes for the last eight months.
In the following chart of job changes from the same month one year ago, the sharp increase from April 2020 (the low point since the start of the pandemic) to April 2021 is easily seen. The generally declining pace of change for both Kansas and the nation is evident, although the pace has moderated for both. Note that the rate for Kansas is always, and significantly, below the rate for the nation.
In the following chart of unemployment rates, we see that the rate in Kansas is lower than the national rate during the pandemic, as it had been before the pandemic. The unemployment rate in Kansas is fairly steady, and the difference between the Kansas unemployment rate and the national rate is becoming smaller.
In the following chart of monthly changes in the labor force for Kansas and the nation, the Kansas labor force has both grown and shrank since the pandemic. The monthly changes for both are small over the year except for a large increase for the nation in January.
For industry groups, the following charts show the number of employees in various industries in February 2021 and February 2022
This chart uses the same data but shows the percent change from February 2021 to February 2022. These industry groups have significant gains:
- Leisure and Hospitality
- Information
- Construction
- Other Services
These groups declined in employment:
- Financial Activities
- Education and Health Services
- Government
A new chart shows trends in employment as the difference between each state and the nation. Note that a relatively flat line close to zero in value, such as for Minnesota, does not mean that the state’s employment is stagnating. Instead, it means that Minnesota’s change in employment closely tracks the national change. In all three charts, it is easy to see Kansas generally falling behind as time passes.
A second version starts in 2015.
This chart starts with January 2020, just before the pandemic.
The report for this month from the Kansas Department of Labor is here. The report from BLS may be found here. There is no news release from Governor Kelly on this topic for this month.
