Region Shows Increase In Jobs, No Change In Unemployment Rates

Both Missouri and Kansas labor market reports indicate each is experiencing swells of jobs in varying sectors, however, the surge of jobs has not affected the state's stagnate unemployment rates. 

Both Missouri and Kansas labor market reports indicate each is experiencing swells of jobs in varying sectors, however, the surge of jobs has not affected the state’s stagnate unemployment rates. 

Unemployment

Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in May 2023 at 2.5 percent. The number of unemployed Missourians was 78,891 in May, an increase of 965 from April.

Kansas showed a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9 percent in May. This percentage is unchanged from April. 

Employment 

Missouri’s employment-population ratio was 61.8 percent for May and nonfarm payroll employment was 2,977,700, up by 3,700 from the revised April 2023 figure. The April 2023 total was revised downward by 600 jobs from the preliminary estimate.

Private sector jobs in Missouri increased by 3,300 jobs between April and May while government jobs increased by 400. 

Kansas’ total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,500 from April, moreover, private sector jobs decreased by 2,200 in May, while government increased by 700.