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.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment May 2021

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
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment by Industry May 2021

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.