Wichita Employment Forecast, January Revision

Revised January 2017   (See previous version)

In the past twelve months, employment in the Wichita metropolitan area has grown by 0.8 percent.  In 2017, Wichita total nonfarm employment is forecast to increase by 2,906 jobs, which implies an anticipated growth rate of 1 percent.

• The production sectors are expected to contract by 0.1 percent in 2017.  The manufacturing sector is projected to be flat, while the natural resources and construction sector is forecasted to contract 0.2 percent, for a projected job loss of fewer than 100 jobs.
• The trade, transportation and utilities sector is forecasted to add almost 500 jobs in 2017, growing 0.9 percent, after growing by over 600 jobs in 2016. 
• The service sectors are forecasted to be the fastest growing portion of the Wichita area economy, with 1.7 percent growth.  The professional and business services sector and the leisure and hospitality sector are projected to have the strongest growth in the services sector, both growing approximately 2.3 percent.  The education and health services sector is also expected to have above average growth, adding over 800 jobs. 
• Government employment is expected to increase slightly in 2017, adding approximately 100 jobs.  Federal and state government employment is forecasted to decline slightly while local government employment grows.

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