Wichita Employment Forecast, May Revision
Revised May 2017 (See previous version)
In the past twelve months, employment in the Wichita metropolitan area has grown by 0.1 percent. In 2017, Wichita total nonfarm employment is forecast to increase by 1,640 jobs, which implies an anticipated growth rate of 0.6 percent. This is expected to be slightly lower than Wichita’s average employment growth rate over the past five years, which has been 0.8 percent.
- The production sectors are expected remain relatively flat in 2017. The manufacturing sector is projected to contract by slightly over 100 jobs, while the natural resources and construction sector is forecasted to add approximately 100 jobs.
- The trade, transportation and utilities sector is forecasted to contract by 1.2 percent, largely due to declines in retail trade employment. Wholesale trade and transportation employment are projected to remain relatively flat.
- The service sectors are forecasted to be the fastest growing portion of the Wichita area economy, with 1.7 percent growth. Health care services, leisure and hospitality services, and professional and business services are all projected to have employment growth of greater than 2 percent, adding the vast majority of the new service sector jobs in Wichita.
- Government employment is expected to decline slightly in 2017, losing less than 100 jobs. Federal and state government employment is forecasted to decline slightly while local government employment grows.
