Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.
Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market rose by 86 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.
- Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 206 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 October versus prior month by 7.7% and are down 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: 23,900; no change
- Government: 17,700; +100
- Manufacturing: 17,200; +200
- Education & Healthcare: 16,800; no change
- Business Services: 12,800; no change
- Restaurants & Hotels: 9,200; -100
- Construction, Mining: 5,600; -100
- Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
- Financial Services: 3,800; +100
- IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.