Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 2,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 566 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.7%. 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 96 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 360 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in July versus prior month by -3.0% 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 July 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,200; -900
  • Government: 64,200; -2,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,200; -400
  • Business Services: 44,400; -700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 32,400; +700
  • Financial Services: 23,500; no change
  • Manufacturing: 19,100; -100
  • Other Jobs: 18,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 17,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,200; -100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.