Entry-level job seekers in Kansas and Missouri feel the hiring slowdown: 'It's rough out here'
Young job seekers in Kansas and Missouri are struggling to find work despite varying levels of experience and education, with many describing an increasingly grueling job-search process. The job market tells a different story than the 4.3% unemployment rate, with slow hiring and young workers facing significant challenges.
Young adults in Kansas and Missouri are finding it tough to land entry-level jobs. Arthur Mayo, Gracie Chrisco, and Emma Shoemaker, all under 24, have been struggling to find work despite applying to numerous positions. The job market is challenging, with hiring rates similar to those in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2026 saw monthly hiring at the same rate as April 2020, the slowest pace since 2011. Recent graduates are working at jobs that don't require a degree at the highest rates in years, and young workers without a bachelor's degree face an unemployment rate about double that of the general population. Industries like healthcare and trades are seeing growth, but businesses are being more selective, making it harder for young people to break into the job market.
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