Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market declined by 2,083 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 90 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 500 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in May versus prior month by -1.3% 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 May 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,400; +200
  • Government: 67,400; -500
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,900; +200
  • Business Services: 44,000; -900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 30,100; +900
  • Financial Services: 22,800; no change
  • Manufacturing: 19,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 18,200; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 18,100; +100
  • IT & Development: 5,200; +100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.