KC jobless rate settles at 6 percent

The Kansas City area’s unemployment rate dropped a tiny 0.01 percent from July to settle at 6 percent in August , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

The metropolitan unemployment rate, reported on a nonseasonally adjusted basis, compared to the comparable national rate of 6.3 percent. The national jobless rate, generally reported on a seasonally adjusted basis, was 6.1 percent in August.

Total nonfarm employment in the metro area grew by 5,100 jobs from August 2013 to August 2014. That’s a growth of 0.5 percent, a lower rate than the national jobs gain of 1.8 percent.

According to labor bureau estimates, there were 1,014,200 payroll employees in the Kansas City area in August.

The Missouri side of the region, with 55 percent of the area’s workforce, accounted for more than two-thirds of the area’s employment growth from August 2013 to August 2014, adding 3,500 jobs. The Kansas side, with 45 percent of the area’s workforce, gained 1,600 jobs over the 12 months.

The labor bureau also reported:

▪ Employment in professional and business services grew by 5,200 jobs over the year, attributable to growth on the Kansas side of the metro area.

▪ Education and health services gained 3,500 jobs since August 2013, led by 2,400 jobs added on the Missouri side.

▪ Metro area employment in manufacturing increased by 1,000 from August 2013 to August 2014.

This story was originally published October 1, 2014 at 11:15 AM with the headline "KC jobless rate settles at 6 percent."