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Kansas Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Though State Gained 15,400 Jobs in February

Kansas Department of Labor

The jobless rate in Kansas isn't falling, but it didn't get worse in February. 

The (not seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate declined from 6.2 to 5.8 percent, while the smooth seasonally adjusted number remained steady at 5.5 percent for the fourth month. In February 2012, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9 percent. 

According toa recent report from the Kansas Department of Labor, labor markets mirrored recent private sector gains last month. The state added around 15,400 jobs overall. 

If the increases continue, they'll indicate a healthier and sustainable growth in the labor markets.

Senior Labor Economist Tyler Tenbrick says the private sector gained another 2,000 seasonally adjusted jobs statewide. Tenbrick says this is the 4th straight month of job growth in Kansas, with a total increase of 12,000 jobs since last October. Gains were spread across several industries, including professional and business services, along with financial services.

Building permit data continues to show improvement, which could help employment levels in the construction industry as the weather improves.

The March Labor Report will be released on April 18.

Click here for the report fact sheet, including employment numbers by industry.

When she's not out making lattes in her mobile coffee bus Sunflower Espresso, Kate Hutchens is a fill-in host for KMUW. She has worked in broadcast journalism at KFDI, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and at KMUW as Morning Edition host, which she did until March 2017.