Kansas January labor report shows mixed industry results

Private sector jobs increased overall, but some industries like construction saw losses

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired illustration using bold shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the mixed economic indicators from the Kansas January labor report, without any text or literal depictions.The complex economic trends in Kansas' January labor report are visualized through an abstract, geometric composition.Topeka Today

The latest labor report from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) showed an overall increase in private sector jobs in January, particularly in professional and business services as well as government positions. However, the report also noted losses in industries like finance and construction.

Why it matters

The monthly labor report provides important insights into the economic health and employment trends within Kansas, helping policymakers, businesses, and residents understand the state's workforce dynamics and potential areas of concern or growth.

The details

According to Emilie Doerksen, a labor economist with KDOL, the decline in construction employment was expected due to seasonal factors, and the agency does not believe it indicates a longer-term trend. Meanwhile, local construction company owner Mike Pressgrove cited workforce challenges as a key issue, noting difficulty finding both qualified and trainable workers.

  • The January 2026 labor report was released on April 7, 2026.

The players

Emilie Doerksen

A labor economist with the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL).

Mike Pressgrove

The owner of local construction company PDQ.

Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL)

The state agency responsible for collecting and reporting labor market data for Kansas.

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What they’re saying

“We're more concerned with the workforce trying to find—not only qualified people, but people that could be qualified, if that makes any sense? Because there's a lot of people out there, looking for jobs, you know? Can they learn, or do they want to do that?”

— Mike Pressgrove, Owner, PDQ

“They're not part of a longer-term trend. They were just one month of estimates, so we'll continue to monitor those to see what happens going forward.”

— Emilie Doerksen, Labor Economist, KDOL

What’s next

KDOL will continue to closely monitor employment trends in Kansas, particularly in the construction industry, to determine if the January losses were an anomaly or part of a longer-term pattern.

The takeaway

The mixed results in Kansas' January labor report highlight the complex and shifting dynamics of the state's workforce, with some industries experiencing growth while others face challenges finding qualified workers. Policymakers and business leaders will need to closely track these trends to develop strategies that support broad-based economic prosperity.