Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.3% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.
Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market rose by 1,694 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.
- Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 145 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 650 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in April versus prior month by -1.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 23,500; no change
- Government: 17,900; -100
- Education & Healthcare: 17,000; +200
- Manufacturing: 16,600; -100
- Business Services: 12,000; no change
- Restaurants & Hotels: 8,600; +100
- Construction, Mining: 5,600; +100
- Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
- Financial Services: 3,800; +100
- IT & Development: 1,000; -100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.