Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 3,652 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 80 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 60 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 16.2% 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 April 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 77,700; -600
  • Government: 69,500; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 63,200; +600
  • Business Services: 47,800; +900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 36,000; +2,000
  • Financial Services: 24,600; +400
  • Manufacturing: 19,800; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 19,700; +400
  • Other Jobs: 19,300; +100
  • IT & Development: 5,700; +100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry April 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.