Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 6,289 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 135 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) declined in April versus prior month by -2.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment April 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,200; +300
  • Government: 67,900; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,700; +600
  • Business Services: 44,800; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 29,200; +1,000
  • Financial Services: 22,900; +100
  • Manufacturing: 19,300; -100
  • Other Jobs: 18,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 18,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 5,100; no change
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.