Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market declined by 599 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 189 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 260 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 5.5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 23,600; +100
  • Manufacturing: 16,800; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 16,800; +100
  • Government: 16,300; +1,100
  • Business Services: 12,100; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 9,600; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 5,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 3,700; -100
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.