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Arkansas Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 3.5%

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Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.5% last month, according to a report Tuesday by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.

The report showed 937 more employed and 689 more unemployed Arkansans. During the same September-to-October period, the U.S. jobless rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point, from 3.5 percent to 3.6 percent. 

“Arkansas’ unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.5 percent in October, as gains in employment and unemployment were small,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in the report. “Despite recent fluctuations in employment, there are currently 12,736 more employed Arkansans compared to October 2018.”

Since October 2018, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs are up by 18,500. Eight major industry sectors posted growth, with five adding 2,000 or more jobs each. 

  • Employment in leisure and hospitality increased by 4,600, with most of the gains in food services (4,300). 
  • Jobs in construction rose by 3,800 related to continuing projects. 
  • Manufacturing added 3,700 jobs, largely in nondurable goods manufacturing (2,500). 
  • Jobs in financial activities were up by 2,000, with most of the growth in finance and insurance (1,700). 
  • Educational and health services increased by 2,000 amid expansions in health care and social assistance (1,900).
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