Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.
Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market rose by 1,064 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.
- Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 186 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 290 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 8.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.6% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 23,900; +200
- Government: 17,600; +1,300
- Manufacturing: 17,100; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 16,700; -100
- Business Services: 12,800; +400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 9,300; -300
- Construction, Mining: 5,700; no change
- Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
- Financial Services: 3,700; no change
- IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.