Survey Background

Job vacancy information can be a reliable indicator of the occupational needs in Kansas. Workforce development personnel, educators and job seekers can use this report to determine current workforce demands.

Employers surveyed were asked to provide information on current job vacancies at the time of the survey, which was during the second quarter of calendar year 2008. These estimates are considered point–in–time estimates which include seasonal variations in the labor market.

Survey respondents were requested to report job titles and the number of job vacancies for which they were recruiting. The job titles were coded into 821 detailed occupations using the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System. These detailed occupations comprise 22 major occupational groups. For each job title, survey respondents were also asked to provide education requirements, wages, benefits offered and the length of time job vacancies had been open.

The first statewide Job Vacancy Survey was conducted in 2004 by Labor Market Information Services (LMIS), the statistical branch of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL).  The survey has been conducted every year since with funding secured through a grant under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  Results are published for the State and the five Local Areas in the state.  In addition, an annual Job Vacancy Survey, specifically for Shawnee County, was conducted from 2001 through 2005.

Methodology Report

For more information about the methodology used in this study, read the Methodology Report

Job Vacancy Rate - What does it mean?

One measure of the workforce demand is the job vacancy rate. This rate is the percentage of the number of job vacancies in relation to all filled positions.The number of job vacancies alone does not provide any information about demand relative to the individuals employed in that occupation. To better analyze this data, the job vacancy rate must be taken into consideration.

The number employed in each occupation is used to calculate the job vacancy rate for each occupation. For example, the occupation of Registered Nurses, with 2,102 estimated openings statewide, is one of the top 25 occupations with the most job vacancies in Kansas. The average employment for this occupation is 24,070, resulting in a job vacancy rate of 8.7 percent. This means that for every 100 filled positions, there are more than eight vacancies in the state.

Job vacancy rates also are calculated by industry super sectors and by size class. The employment numbers by industry and size class are from a different source than the employment by occupation, therefore job vacancy rates by super sectors and by size class may differ slightly from the job vacancy rate by occupation.

Calculate your own job Vacancy Rate

If you want to know how your company measures up to the economic conditions in your area, you can calculate your own job vacancy rate. 

After you have calculated the job vacancy rate for your company, you can compare that rate with the overall rate for the Local Area, industry super sector or size class that would best describe your business. 

Here´s how to calculate your job vacancy rate: Divide the number of vacancies for which you are currently recruiting by the total number of employees working in your company. To show this number as a percent, multiply by 100 or move the decimal 2 digits to the right.

You can also use the Job Vacancy Rate Calculator below to help you with this.