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Arkansas Unemployment Drops to 4% in September

1 min read

Arkansas’ unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point to 4% from August to September, according to a report released Friday by the state Division of Workforce Services.

The report showed Arkansas’ civilian labor force rose by a net 594, the result of 3,561 more employed and 2,967 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The U.S. jobless rate was 4.8% in September, down four-tenths of a percentage point from August.

“Arkansas’ unemployment rate declined for the third month in a row to 4% in September, remaining below the national rate of 4.8%. Approximately 3,561 Arkansans became employed this month and 45,532 more are employed now compared to September 2020,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release.

Compared to September 2020, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs are up by 34,000. Nine major industry sectors reported growth:

  • Professional and business services jobs increased by 10,000.

  • Manufacturing added 7,400 jobs. Hiring in durable goods (11,100) was offset by contractions in nondurable goods (3,700).

  • Trade, transportation and utilities jobs increased by 6,400.

  • Leisure and hospitality added 6,200 jobs, with the most gains being in accommodation and food services (4,100).

  • Financial activities added 4,000 jobs, mostly in finance and insurance (3,600).

  • Other services added 3,100 jobs.

  • Educational and health services added 1,400 jobs.

  • Information added 900 jobs.

  • Mining and logging added 200 jobs.

  • Government lost 4,800 jobs, in both federal (2,600) and local (2,500) government.

  • Construction lost 800 jobs.

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