The unemployment rate in April in Arkansas remained unchanged from the previous month, holding at 3.8 percent, according to a report Friday by the state Department of Workforce Services.
The rate remained below the U.S. rate for April, 3.9 percent. The department said April jobs declined by 1,093 from March, the result of 305 more Arkansans being unemployed and 1,093 dropping from the workforce.
“Despite the small decline in the size of the civilian labor force, Arkansas’ unemployment rate remained unchanged in April. This marks the third consecutive month that the state’s jobless rate has been at 3.8 percent,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release.
More: See the complete report.
In April 2017, 48,992 people were unemployed in Arkansas, and the unemployment rate was 3.6 percent.
In March, 51,351 people were unemployed; 51,656 were unemployed in April.
Compared to April 2017, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll enrollment was up by 6,100.
Year over year, five major industry sectors added jobs, while six sectors reported minor losses.
Professional and business services recorded the largest increase (4,100). Gains in administrative and support services (4,900) more than offset a dip (800) in management of companies.
Manufacturing added 3,100 jobs, with expansions reported in food manufacturing, machinery manufaturing and elsewhere.
Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,300 jobs, with transportation, warehousing and utilites accounting for 1,000 of those.
Employment in the information sector declined by 1,000, due in part to reported losses in activities like telecommunications and data processing.
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