Kansas' unemployment rate edged lower in May as employers continued to add jobs across the state.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in May, down from 3.9% in April, according to the latest state labor report. The rate remains unchanged from May of last year.
Kansas added 5,100 non-farm jobs during the month, with the leisure and hospitality sector posting the strongest employment gains. Over the past 12 months, the state has recorded a net increase of 7,400 jobs, reflecting continued growth in the labor market.
Unemployment rates varied across central Kansas counties.
Reno County reported an unemployment rate of 3.9%, while Rice and Harvey counties each came in at 3.6%. Pratt County posted a 3.3% unemployment rate, followed by Stafford County at 3.2%, McPherson County at 3.1%, and Kingman County with the region's lowest unemployment rate at 2.8%.
Despite modest month-to-month changes, Kansas continues to maintain a relatively low unemployment rate compared to historical averages, with steady job growth over the past year indicating continued strength in the state's economy.