Arkansas’ Unemployment Rate Remains Stable at 3.6 Percent

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:

Labor force data, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and released today by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, show Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 3.6 percent between November and December. Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased 2,697, a result of 2,483 more employed and 214 more unemployed Arkansans. The United States’ jobless rate was unchanged at 3.5 percent in December.

BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said, “The number of employed Arkansans rose for the third month in a row, to 1,319,789. The December jobless rate remains stable, and reflects the trend seen at the national level.”

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:

Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased 1,000 in December to total 1,292,000. Five major industry sectors posted gains, while five other sectors declined. The greatest expansion occurred in educational and health services (+1,900). All hiring was reported in health care and social assistance (+2,000). Jobs in manufacturing rose 1,300. Gains in durable goods (+1,500) more than offset the loss in nondurable goods (-200). Construction declined 1,800, due largely to seasonal factors. Jobs in leisure and hospitality decreased 1,400. Most of the loss was in food services, down 1,300 jobs.

Compared to December 2018, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs are up 18,700. Growth was reported in eight major industry sectors, with five adding 2,000 or more jobs, each. Jobs in educational and health services increased 6,000. Most of the gains were in health care and social assistance (+5,400). Professional and business services added 5,000 jobs, with hiring across all three subsectors. Employment in trade, transportation, and utilities rose 2,900. Most of the expansion was posted in wholesale trade (+1,500). Leisure and hospitality increased 2,600, mostly in food services (+2,400). Jobs in construction are up 2,000 over-the-year.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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