Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.
Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 2,517 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 128 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 90 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in March versus prior month by -4.2% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 68,300; -200
- Government: 67,900; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 58,100; -300
- Business Services: 45,200; +400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 28,300; +1,000
- Financial Services: 22,800; +300
- Manufacturing: 19,400; no change
- Other Jobs: 18,000; +200
- Construction, Mining: 18,000; +600
- IT & Development: 5,000; -100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.