State Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.7% in March

The state’s unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.7% in March, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services reported Friday.

The U.S. jobless rate in March also rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%.

In Arkansas, the civilian labor force increased by 260 to 1.421 million. The labor force participation rate in March remained at 58.4%.

Compared to March 2024, there were 15,686 more people employed in the state. The unemployment rate is up three-tenths of a percentage point. Arkansas’ labor force participation rate is up four-tenths of a percentage point on an annual basis.

On a monthly basis, nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 5,200 in March. The largest gains were posted in leisure and hospitality (+3,200), manufacturing (+1,200), construction (+1,100), and private education and health Services (+1,100). The largest loss occurred in professional and business services (-2,100), mostly due to declines in administrative and support services (-1,900).

Compared to March 2024, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 13,000. The largest annual growth was in private education and health services (+7,500), with health care and social assistance adding 7,100 jobs. Other notable gains were posted in trade, transportation and utilities (+4,700) and in manufacturing (+2,100).

Other sectors and their changes from March 2024:

• Financial activities +500
• Professional and business services +400
• Government: +200
• Other services: flat
• Leisure & hospitality: flat
• Mining and logging: -200
• Construction: -700
• Information: -1,100