The state’s unemployment rate was steady at 5.7 percent in May, according to data released Friday by the Arkansas Department for Workforce Services.
According to DWS, the state’s civilian labor force rose by 1,500 from April to May, a result of 900 more employed and 600 fewer unemployed Arkansans.
“Employment and unemployment both increased slightly in May, but the gains were not enough to change the unemployment rate,” said ADWS Program Operations Manager Susan Price. “This month’s employment increase marks the 18th consecutive month of growth.”
The national unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.5 percent.
In May, the biggest industry gainers were leisure and hospitality with 1,400 new jobs, while the trade, transportation and utilities saw 1,000 new jobs. Overall government employment saw a decrease of 1,100 jobs — a loss of 1,700 jobs in state government offset by an additional 900 temporary summer jobs in local government.
Year-over-year gains were seen in:
- Leisure and hospitality, 6,100 jobs (most in food services with 5,300);
- Trade, transportation and utilities, 5,400;
- Educational and health services, 3,700
- Construction, 2,300.
See the full report at Discover.Arkansas.gov.
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