Arkansas’ Unemployment Rate Climbs to 2.9% in September

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Oct. 20, 2023) – Today, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, announced Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point, from 2.7% in August to 2.9% in September. The United States’ jobless rate remained stable at 3.8% in September.

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:

• In September, Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 2,798. The number of unemployed rose 2,561, as more Arkansans are actively seeking work. This pushed the labor force participation rate up one- tenth of a percentage point, to 57.8% in September. The labor force and the number of employed both remain at record high levels.
• Compared to September 2022, there are 29,978 more employed and 7,698 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The States’ unemployment rate is down from 3.5% last September, while the labor force participation rate is up three-tenths of a percentage point.

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:

• In September, Arkansas added 8,200 nonfarm payroll jobs. Gains were largely attributed to the start of the new school year, with Government (+13,000) and Private Education and Health Services (+3,500) adding the largest number of jobs. Notable losses were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (-4,400), Manufacturing (-2,200), and Trade-Transportation-Utilities (-2,100).
• Compared to September 2022, nonfarm payroll jobs are up 19,400. The largest gains occurred in Private Education and Health Services (+8,100); Leisure and Hospitality (+8,000); and Construction (+6,300).

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force (Seasonally Adjusted)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey. More information about the data is available at https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)