Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.0% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market declined by 5,084 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 4.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 129 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 310 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -2.7% and are up 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 August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,000; -300
  • Government: 65,100; +900
  • Education & Healthcare: 59,400; +1,000
  • Business Services: 44,200; -600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 32,100; -200
  • Financial Services: 23,300; -300
  • Manufacturing: 19,000; -100
  • Other Jobs: 18,500; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 17,700; -200
  • IT & Development: 5,300; no change
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.