The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services reported that the state’s unemployment rate in September rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 2.9%.
The rate has moved up the past two months after falling to a record low of 2.6% in June and July.
The U.S. jobless rate in September was stable at 3.8%.
The state’s civilian labor force increased by 2,798 last month, while unemployment rose by 2,561. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 57.8%.
The labor force and the number of employed both remain at record high levels, the Division of Workforce Services said.
Nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 8,200. The Division of Workforce Services said gains were largely related to the start of the school year.
The largest gains were in government (+13,000) and private education and health services (+3,500). Notable losses were reported in leisure and hospitality (-4,400), manufacturing (-2,200), and trade-transportation-utilities (-2,100).
Compared to the same month a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs have increase by 19,400. The largest gains were in private education and health services (+8,100), leisure and hospitality (+8,000) and construction (+6,300).
Other sectors and their changes from September 2022:
- Other services increased by 2,700
- Mining and logging decreased by 200
- Professional and business services decreased by 300
- Financial activities decreased by 800
- Information decreased by 1,400
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