Arkansas’ unemployment rate remains at 3.7% in April

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 21, 2025)— Today the Arkansas Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, announced Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 3.7% between March and April. At 4.2%, the United States’ jobless rate was also unchanged over the month.

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:

• The civilian labor force in Arkansas rose 1,519 in April, with 1,406 more employed and 113 additional unemployed Arkansans actively looking for work. Arkansas is again at record high levels of employment in April, while the labor force participation rate remained at 58.4%.
• Compared to April 2024, there are 14,459 more employed in the state. The number of unemployed Arkansans actively seeking work is up 4,855, pushing the unemployment rate up three-tenths of a percentage point over the year.

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:

• Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs rose 7,800 in April, reaching a new record high total of 1,386,400 jobs. Ten major industry sectors posted monthly increases. The largest gains were in Professional and Business Services (+2,600), Leisure and Hospitality (+2,100), Government (+1,100), and Construction (+1,000).
• Compared to April 2024, Arkansas has added 19,100 nonfarm payroll jobs. Notable growth occurred in Private Education and Health Services (+7,800), Trade-Transportation-Utilities (+6,000), Professional and Business Services (+2,100), and Manufacturing (+1,700).