Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.5% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 1,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market declined by 337 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 2.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 176 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 290 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in October versus prior month by -2.6% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 69,100; +200
  • Government: 67,200; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 59,700; +300
  • Business Services: 45,100; +1,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 31,700; +600
  • Financial Services: 23,800; +100
  • Manufacturing: 18,900; no change
  • Other Jobs: 18,300; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 17,000; -500
  • IT & Development: 5,200; +100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.