Kansas, Nebraska Gain Jobs in May

Kansas businesses gained 11,300 jobs in May, a 0.8 percent increase, building on gains made in April. Nebraska also saw job gains in May 2010 and a decrease of 0.1 percent in its unemployment rate, bringing the rate to 4.9 percent, one of the lowest in the nation.

The national unemployment rate for May 2010 was 9.7 percent, up from 9.4 percent in May 2009. The Nebraska rate reflects 0.2 percentage point increase over the May 2009 rate.

The May 2010 unemployment rate for Kansas was 6.3 percent, unchanged from April and down from 7.0 percent in May 2009.

In Kansas, the private sector added 3,900 jobs in May; the government sector added 7,400 jobs, reflecting federal Census jobs and local government summer jobs.

According to May 2010 estimates, Kansas businesses lost 14,300 jobs over-the-year, a 1.1 percent decrease. While job losses continue, the level of over-the-year job loss has continued to decline over the past five months.

Five of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-year job gains in May, with the highest increases being in construction, government and mining and logging.

Six major industries reported statewide over-the-year losses. These losses were highest in manufacturing, professional and business services and the information industry.

Five of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-month job gains in May. These gains were highest in the following areas:

• Government gained 7,400 jobs over the month, a 2.8 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area were in federal government.
• Trade, transportation and utilities gained 3,100 jobs over the month, a 1.2 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area were in retail trade. This is a higher than typical month-to-month increase; which is 1,200 jobs.
• Construction gained 700 jobs over the month, a 1.2 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area were in heavy and civil engineering.

“May saw four of the seven industry groups increasing jobs by more than 1,000,” said Nebraska Commissioner of Labor, Catherine D. Lang. “Job gains this month were split geographically, the two metropolitan regions accounted for 5,010 jobs while the other 3,870 jobs were gained in the rest of the state. Over the past year, both metro areas have shed jobs while the nonmetropolitan area has added 3,463.”

The three private industry sectors in Nebraska to experience job growth over the month were:

• Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,438)
• Mining, Logging and Construction (+1,540)
• Professional and Business Services Utilities (+1,235)