LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News Release)- According to Arkansas’ employment rate is dropping, according to numbers released Friday.  

Labor force data, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and released today by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, show Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point, from 3.7 percent in July to 3.6 percent in August. Arkansas’ civilian labor force decreased 1,693, a result of 1,419 fewer unemployed and 274 less employed Arkansans. The United States’ jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.9 percent in August.

BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said, “Down to 3.6 percent in August, Arkansas’ unemployment rate decreased for the second month in a row. This is due in part to declines the number of unemployed over the last several months.”

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:

Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll employment rose 1,000 in August to total 1,238,900. Two major industry
sectors added jobs, more than offsetting the declines in seven industry sectors. Jobs in government increased 3,200. Hiring in local (+1,800) and state (+1,500) government reflect the start of the 2018-2019 public school year. Employment in educational and health services rose 900. Gains in educational services (+900) were attributed to seasonal hiring at private educational facilities. Jobs in manufacturing decreased 1,200. Most of the decline was in durable goods (-1,000), due to reported
losses in wood product manufacturing and machinery manufacturing.

Compared to August 2017, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas are up 8,000. Growth was posted in six
major industry sectors, while five sectors declined. Professional and business services added 6,000 jobs. A majority of the gains were in administrative and support services (+5,800), a subsector which includes employment agencies. Jobs in construction increased 1,900, mostly in specialty trade contractors (+1,300). Employment in manufacturing rose 1,900. The bulk of the expansion was in nondurable goods manufacturing (+1,800). Trade, transportation, and utilities declined 1,000. Small gains in retail trade (+300) were more than offset by losses in wholesale trade (-1,200) and transportation-warehousing-utilities (-100). Jobs in information declined 1,000. This sector includes
activities such as publishing, telecommunications, and related services.