Kansas City Area Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Unemployment rates for the Kansas City area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Kansas City area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $980)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
4.0
Kansas City area
3.6
3.6
Clay Co., MO
3.1
4.9
Jackson Co., MO
4.2
3.1
Johnson Co., KS
2.9
5.1
Wyandotte Co.,
KS
4.7
0.0
2.0
4.0
Apr-16
6.0
Apr-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Percent
Kansas City area employment
(numbers in thousands)
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Apr-14
Kansas City area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining, logging, and construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Change from Apr.
Apr. 2017
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
23.1
-1.7
0.5
5.2
-1.1
1.2
11.5
3.4
3.1
0.4
0.6
2.2
-3.6
0.6
2.5
-5.6
1.5
6.2
2.3
2.9
0.9
0.4
1,090.9
46.1
77.7
213.3
18.5
79.9
197.1
152.9
110.4
43.1
151.9
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
• www.bls.gov/ro6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, second half 2016
Percent
4.0
3.0
Kansas City area
U.S. city average
1.5
1.0
0.9
-0.1
-1.0
-0.2
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Telecommunications
3.0
2.0
1.0
-0.3
0.0
-1.0
-3.0
-5.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
-3.1
All Items
Food
-2.0
-3.0
Energy
-4.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Midwest Region average annual expenditures 2015
Apr-15
Housing
$17,370
31.5%
Healthcare
$4,616
8.4%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$6,260
11.4%
Food
$7,090
12.9%
Transportation
$9,597
17.4%
Total:
$55,071
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
Kansas City
area
United
States
Total, all occupations
$23.51
$23.86
Financial managers
63.86
67.17
Electrical engineers
45.83
47.41
Accountants and auditors
32.68
36.89
Registered nurses
31.01
34.70
Sheet metal workers
29.71
24.56
Human resources specialists
29.21
31.20
Computer user support specialists
23.67
25.53
Construction laborers
20.45
18.22
Rail car repairers
19.00
25.77
Customer service representatives
17.34
16.91
Retail salespersons
12.99
13.07
8.96
9.89
Fast food cooks
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$10,138
18.4%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
West North
Central (1)
$29.83
20.91
8.92
2.03
1.10
0.80
2.48
1.22
2.39
(1) West North Central includes IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, and SD.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
4.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
West North Central
Mar-15
United States
Mar-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Mountain-Plains Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/mountain-plains • 816-285-7000
Mar-17