April 2026 Labor Report

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*Data is preliminary.

Data is seasonally adjusted.

Monthly Spotlight

May marks the end of the 2026 school year, with students earning degrees, certificates, and other credentials that help connect them to jobs. Using data from the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), this report looks at the types of awards students are earning, who is earning them, and which programs areas are most common. The report also uses data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) to show how education is connected to labor force participation, unemployment, and poverty.

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Coming Soon/FYI

2026 Edition of the Kansas Wage Survey will be published in June 2026

The Kansas Wage Survey is one of our most requested data sets. Here are some ways the data can be used:

State and local workforce investment boards, as well as training professionals, use the information to determine the need for local employment, training, and educational services.
Economic development specialists use the information to estimate available labor supply.
Researchers use the data to understand the structure of labor markets and to understand labor costs for new markets.
Students and counselors use the information for career planning.
Employers and compensation specialists use the data to determine equitable and competitive pay, to develop recruiting packages, and to make site selection decisions.
BLS and state workforce agencies use OEWS data to project employment and determine jobs in demand.

U.S. Census Bureau's Next Round of Population Estimates is scheduled to release in June 2026

2025 population estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin for:

U.S.
States
Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas
Counties

Learn more about the U.S. Census Bureau’s release schedule here

Data Highlight

Mental Health Awareness Month

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the important work of mental health professionals across Kansas. They provide critical support for individuals facing addiction, mental health challenges, and behavioral disorders while helping reduce stigma and promote recovery, wellness, and hope in our communities.

Wage Estimates for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Kansas

1.7%

Average Annual Growth Statewide

220

Average Annual Statewide Openings

Education

Master's

Degree

Job Training

Internship/Residency

Work Experience

None

Source: Labor Market Information Division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

Source: Labor Market Information Division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the U.S. Employment and Training Administration; 2022-2032 Occupational Projections

Dashboard & Tutorial Highlight

ICYMI: April 2026 Newsletter

Have a question or data request? Email us at KDOL.Laborstats@ks.gov.