The Arkansas unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point, from 3.4% in August to 3.5% in September, according to a report Friday by the state Division of Workforce Services.
During the same period, the U.S. jobless rate declined from 3.7% in August to 3.5% in September. The Arkansas report showed the state’s civilian labor force decreased by 653.
“The unemployment rate in Arkansas rose to 3.5% in September, as the overall size of the civilian labor force declined,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said. “Labor force participation remained stable between August and September and is still half a percentage point higher than in September 2021.”
Year over year, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas are up 34,400. The report showed growth in nine major industry sectors:
- Manufacturing added 7,000 jobs, mostly in nondurable goods manufacturing (4,600).
- Jobs in leisure and hospitality increased by 6,000, with hiring across all subsectors, including jobs in food services up by 4,200.
- Employment in professional and business services rose by 5,000, with most of the gains in management of companies (5,500).
- The trade, transportation and utilities sector added 4,800 jobs, largely in wholesale trade (4,500).
- Employment in educational and health services increased by 4,800, with hiring across all subsectors.
- The report showed gains in financial activities (3,000), government (2,500) and information (1,400).
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