Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.1% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market rose by 1,162 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 179 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 November versus prior month by 9.4% and are down 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 24,600; +400
  • Government: 18,000; +300
  • Manufacturing: 17,100; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 16,900; +200
  • Business Services: 12,800; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 9,100; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 5,600; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 3,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Fort Smith, AR-OK Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.