Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 1,756 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 5.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 99 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 340 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in June versus prior month by -1.5% 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 June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,700; +100
  • Government: 66,500; -900
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,400; -500
  • Business Services: 44,500; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 31,700; +1,100
  • Financial Services: 23,000; +200
  • Manufacturing: 19,200; -100
  • Other Jobs: 18,600; +400
  • Construction, Mining: 17,900; -100
  • IT & Development: 5,200; no change
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.