Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point, from 4.1 percent in March to 3.9 percent in April, according to the state Department of Workforce Services.
The department revised March’s unemployment rate up from 4 percent. The data is produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and released by the Workforce Services Department.
The report showed Arkansas’ civilian labor force rose by 2,860, a result of 5,309 more employed and 2,449 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The nationwide jobless rate remained stable at 5 percent in April.
“Arkansas’ employment in April reached a new record high of 1,309,268, breaking the previous record set in May 2008,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release. “The employment increase helped push the unemployment rate down to 3.9 percent, breaking last month’s record low of 4.1 percent.”
Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 8,400 in April to total 1,232,800; seven major industry sectors posted gains, while four declined slightly.
Trade, transportation, and utilities added 2,900 jobs. Seasonal hiring helped retail to add 2,500 jobs and wholesale trade to add 1,300. Construction added 1,600 jobs, a typical spring expansion.
Since April 2015, employment in both leisure and hospitality and professional and business services has risen by 5,300. Employment in trade, transportation and utilities rose by 8,800. Declines were reported in both mining and logging (1,400) and in manufacturing (1,300).
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