Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.4% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.
Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market declined by 805 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 5.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 115 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 180 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in February versus prior month by -1.1% and are up 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: 68,600; no change
- Government: 67,600; +700
- Education & Healthcare: 58,500; +1,100
- Business Services: 44,500; no change
- Restaurants & Hotels: 27,700; -800
- Financial Services: 22,500; -100
- Manufacturing: 18,900; -100
- Other Jobs: 17,700; +100
- Construction, Mining: 17,400; -300
- IT & Development: 5,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.