Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market rose by 1,005 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 39 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 45 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in March versus prior month by -5.5% and are down 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 March 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 74,500; +100
  • Government: 68,200; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,200; -800
  • Business Services: 45,700; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 33,700; +1,200
  • Financial Services: 22,500; -200
  • Manufacturing: 19,600; +100
  • Other Jobs: 17,900; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 17,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,500; +100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Unemployment by Industry March 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 27, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.