Arkansas unemployment rate declines, sets records in latest agency report

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The latest report from the Arkansas Department of Commerce shows that unemployment has dropped in the state.

The Friday report showed the June unemployment rate was down to 3.3%. This represents a one-tenth percent drop after several months of unemployment in the state at 3.4%.

The labor force participation rate climbed one-tenth of a percent in June to 57.7%.

While still above the state’s record low June 2023 unemployment rate of 2.3%, the report contains several record numbers, including 1,349,861 workers employed in the latest report, the highest-ever number and one that has grown for four months in a row.

A second record was the number of Arkansans in the labor force, 1,396,376, also climbing for the fourth consecutive month.

Non-farm payroll jobs grew by 5,000 in June to 1,381,400, a record high for the third month in a row.

The trade, transportation & utility industry sector employed the most Arkansans in June, with 270,200 jobs, up from May’s 268,500. It was followed closely by the private education & health services sector, which had 215,600 jobs in June.

Arkansas continues running counter to the national trend, which climbed one-tenth of a percent in June to 4.1% as the Natural State rate dropped. Arkansas has remained below the national rate since January.