The state’s unemployment rate creeped higher in August, rising one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.8%, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services reported Friday.
The U.S. jobless rate increased also increased one-tenth of a percentage point, coming in at 4.3%.
In Arkansas, the civilian labor force increased by 2,480 to 1.427 million, remaining at record levels. The labor force participation rate in August remained at 58.4%.
Compared to August 2024, there were 8,665 more people employed in the state. The unemployment rate is up one-tenth of a percentage point. Arkansas’ labor force participation rate is up one-tenth of a percentage point on an annual basis.
On a monthly basis, nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 4,9000 in August. Gains were mostly seasonal and related to the start of the new school year. Government added 3,700 jobs, mostly in local government-educational services (+2,900). Jobs in private education and health services rose by 1,500, with expansions in both private educational services (+900) and in health care and social assistance (+600).
Compared to August 2024, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 21,700. The largest growth was posted in private education and health services (+8,700), leisure and hospitality (+5,200), trade, transportation and utilities (+4,100), and manufacturing (+2,700). The greatest loss was in Construction, down 1,900 jobs.
Other sectors and their changes from August 2024:
- Professional & business services +2,200
- Financial activities +1,400
- Government +100
- Mining & logging – flat
- Information -400
- Other services -400
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