Arkansas’ unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in December and unchanged from the previous month, according to a report released Friday by the state Department of Workforce Services.
But the U.S. jobless rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.9 percent between November and December.
“Arkansas’ unemployment rate remained fairly stable throughout 2018, ending the year down one-tenth of a percentage point compared to January. While the U.S. jobless rate also trended down over the year, Arkansas is still three-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release.
Compared to December 2017, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll employment is up by 16,500. Growth was posted in eight major industry sectors, while three sectors saw slight losses.
- Jobs in professional and business services rose by 4,200.
- Jobs in manufacturing increased by 3,900.
- Employment in leisure and hospitality rose by 2,700. Growth in accomodation and food services (3,000) offset a minor loss in arts/entertainment/recreation (300).
- Educational and health services added 2,200 jobs, mostly in educational services (1,300).
- Jobs in construction rose by 2,100.
- Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,800 jobs.
- Jobs in financial activities rose by 800.
- Government gained 200 jobs.
- Sectors that lost jobs were information (700), mining and logging (500) and other services (200).
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