Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 3,574 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 56 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 50 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 11.1% 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 78,500; -1,600
  • Government: 68,700; -900
  • Education & Healthcare: 62,300; -700
  • Business Services: 46,900; -900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 32,800; -700
  • Other Jobs: 25,200; -300
  • Financial Services: 24,600; -300
  • Manufacturing: 20,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 18,800; -400
  • IT & Development: 5,800; +100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.