Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2022.
Total employment in the Fort Smith, AR-OK market declined by 500 jobs in September and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 47 bps over the same time to 3.3%.
- Fort Smith, AR-OK unemployment rate is 28 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 50 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 6.9% and are up 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 0.8% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 24,100; -300
- Manufacturing: 18,300; -200
- Government: 17,800; +1,300
- Education & Healthcare: 17,200; +300
- Business Services: 11,300; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 9,900; -300
- Construction, Mining: 5,200; no change
- Other Jobs: 4,300; no change
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2022 (Data published November 2022 and reports created on November 2, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.