Forecast: Region’s economy expected to add nearly 10,700 jobs in 2027

The Kansas City regional economy is expected to continue growing in 2027, adding approximately 10,700 jobs from the fourth quarter of 2026 to the fourth quarter of 2027, according to a new economic forecast from MARC.

While that represents continued growth, the pace is expected to moderate. The region is projected to add approximately 12,800 jobs in 2026, followed by 10,700 in 2027 and about 9,900 in 2028. 

Leading that growth in 2027 will be healthcare and construction. The healthcare and social assistance industry is projected to add approximately 5,700 jobs, while construction is expected to add nearly 3,900. Transportation and warehousing, educational services, accommodation and food services, retail trade and manufacturing are also projected to see gains next year.

The outlook builds on several years of relatively strong regional performance. From August 2022 to August 2026, the region’s nonfarm employment grew approximately 5.1%, compared with 3.7% nationally. Much of that advantage came from goods-producing industries, particularly construction and manufacturing. 

Even as employment continues to grow, the forecast points to a challenge that could shape the region’s economy in the years ahead: the availability of workers. In August 2026, the Kansas City region’s labor force was approximately 12,300 people smaller than a year earlier. Longer-term demographic trends, including an aging population and lower fertility rates, could continue to constrain labor supply. 

Against that backdrop, efforts to strengthen the region’s competitive industries take on added importance. The forecast highlights regional initiatives such as Critical Materials Crossroads and KC BioHub, which are focused on strategically important sectors of the Kansas City metro economy.