Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4% in October, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.

The unemployment rate in Clay County rose 1.4%, from 2.9% in September to 4.3% in October. The jobless rate rose slightly in Dickinson County from 3.1% to 3.6%. Cloud County rose from 3.2% to 3.7%. Marshall County rose to 3%. Republic County had a slight rise from 2.4% to 2.8% in a month. Washington County also saw a small rise from 2.2% to 2.7%.

Labor Economist, Emilie Doerksen said, “Job estimates for the private sector in Kansas have increased by 1.3% over the year, despite a small decline over the month in October.”

Since October 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 20,900. This change is due to an increase of 15,900 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,000 government jobs.