Job Forecast Sees Slight Uptick

Researchers at Wichita State University predict Kansas will see slightly higher job growth in 2014 than it did last year.

A forecast issued Wednesday by the Center for Economic Development and Business Research predicts Kansas employment will increase by 1.4 percent this year, with a gain of 18,000 jobs.

By sector, professional and business services are expected to see the biggest increase at 3.3 percent, with more than 5,300 new jobs. The education and health services sector is second with anticipated growth of 2.7 percent, or roughly 5,100 jobs.

A net loss of 700 jobs is forecast for public employment, with growth in local governments partly offsetting an expected loss of 1,000 state and federal jobs in Kansas.

The report said Kansas employment grew by an estimated 1.1 percent last year.