Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services Division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8% in January, which is unchanged from December.

The unemployment rate in Clay County slightly increased from 3.3% in December to 3.4% in January. Across the area, the jobless rate dropped in Dickinson County from 5.5% to 3.7%. Cloud County dropped from 3.7% to 3.4%. Marshall County increased 0.3%, to 3.4%. Republic County also had an increase, from 2.2% to 2.7% in a month. Washington County also rose from 2.4% to 3.5%.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 3,600 from December, with Private sector jobs decreasing by 2,600 over the month, while government jobs decreased by 1,000.