Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.0% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 2,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 2,133 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 22 bps above the national rate which is a negative 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 July versus prior month by 3.3% 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 July 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 76,200; +900
  • Government: 64,400; -2,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 59,500; +1,800
  • Business Services: 45,600; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 37,100; +800
  • Financial Services: 23,400; +100
  • Manufacturing: 19,900; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 18,300; +100
  • Other Jobs: 18,200; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,700; no change
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry July 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on September 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.