Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 2,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 506 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 100 bps to 5.3%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 151 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -1.5% 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.1%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,900; -2,400
  • Government: 66,900; -1,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 57,300; -1,600
  • Business Services: 44,500; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 28,500; +200
  • Financial Services: 22,600; +300
  • Manufacturing: 18,800; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 17,700; +200
  • Other Jobs: 17,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,100; no change
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.