Arkansas Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 6.2%


Arkansas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2% in November, unchanged from October, the state Department of Workforce Services reported Friday.

Friday’s report said that, in November, Arkansas' civilian labor force decreased by 2,925 people.

More: See the full report here.

"Arkansas' unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.2 percent between October and November. While there were minor fluctuations in employment and unemployment, the changes were not significant enough to impact the rate," BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release.

The U.S. jobless rate declined in November, to 6.7% from 6.9% in October.

Compared to November 2019, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas are down by 36,600. Eight major industry sectors posted job losses and three posted gains:

  • Manufacturing declined by 14,700 jobs, with reductions in both durable goods (-8,200) and nondurable goods (-6,500).
  • Jobs in leisure and hospitality fell by 12,200, with the most contraction being in food services (-9,200).
  • Government lost 10,100 jobs, mostly in local government-educational services (-6,600).
  • Educational and health services lost 7,800 jobs, mostly in health care and social assistance (-7,400).
  • But jobs in trade, transportation and utilities increased by 11,900, with the most growth being seen in retail trade (+6,100) and transportation-warehousing-utilities (+4,600).
  • Reductions occurred in other services (-4,100) and financial activities (-1,300).
  • Construction gained 2,200 jobs.
  • Professional and business services added 900 jobs.
  • Mining and logging lost 800 jobs, while Information lost 600.