Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.
Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market rose by 244 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.
- Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 150 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 600 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 0.9% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 23,500; no change
- Government: 18,000; +100
- Education & Healthcare: 16,900; no change
- Manufacturing: 16,700; +100
- Business Services: 11,900; -200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 9,300; +600
- Construction, Mining: 5,600; no change
- Other Jobs: 4,600; -100
- Financial Services: 3,800; no change
- IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.