Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.9% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.
Total employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR market declined by 1,348 jobs in November and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR unemployment rate is 46 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 30 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 8.4% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.3%. Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 76,800; +600
- Government: 67,600; +100
- Education & Healthcare: 60,600; +200
- Business Services: 45,700; -800
- Restaurants & Hotels: 36,400; -700
- Financial Services: 23,600; -100
- Manufacturing: 20,000; -200
- Construction, Mining: 18,300; -300
- Other Jobs: 18,300; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.