Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 3.1% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.
Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market declined by 146 jobs in May and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 28 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 110 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 12.3% and are equal compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 23,900; -300
- Manufacturing: 18,100; +200
- Government: 18,000; no change
- Education & Healthcare: 16,400; -300
- Business Services: 11,700; no change
- Restaurants & Hotels: 9,800; +300
- Construction, Mining: 5,200; +100
- Other Jobs: 4,400; +100
- Financial Services: 3,900; +100
- IT & Development: 1,200; no change
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.