
The state’s unemployment rate held at 3.3% in November, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services reported Friday.
The U.S. jobless rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point in November to 4.2%.
In Arkansas, the civilian labor force increased by 1,742, as 1,073 additional Arkansans were employed. The labor force participation rate ticked up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 58.2%. The civilian labor force and employment remain at record-high levels.
Compared to November 2023, there were 33,715 more people employed in the state. The unemployment rate was up six-tenths of a percentage point lower, with 4,465 fewer unemployed Arkansans.
Arkansas’ labor force participation rate rose six-tenths of a percentage point year over year from 57.6%.
On a monthly basis, nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 500 in November, with contractions in leisure and hospitality (-3,100) and in construction (-1,100). The largest monthly gains occurred in private education and health services (+1,700) and trade, transportation and utilities (+1,000).
Compared to November 2023, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 22,600. Eight major industry sectors posted annual growth. The largest expansions were in private education and health services (+13,700), mostly in the health care and social assistance subsector (+13,000). Other notable increases were seen in professional and business services (+3,400) and manufacturing (+3,000).
Other sectors and their changes from November 2023:
- Government: +1,600
- Financial activities: +700
- Trade, transportation, and utilities: +600
- Mining and logging: +100
- Information: -400
- Leisure and hospitality: -500
- Other services: -900