State jobless rate steady at 7.8%

Arkansas’ unemployment rate held steady at 7.8% during February, the same as the January rate, and lower than the 8% during February 2010.

Also, the number of unemployed fell from 106,914 in January to an estimated 106,146 during February, according to figures released Friday (Mar. 25) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Oklahoma jobless rate was 6.5%, down from 6.6% in January, and down from the 7.3% in February 2010. The U.S. rate during February was 8.9%.

Those with jobs in Arkansas during February was an estimated 1.259 million, up 1.27% compared to 1.243 million in February 2010. The number of unemployed in Arkansas during February is estimated at 106,146, down 0.71% compared to January, and down 1.4% compared to February 2010.

However, the Arkansas jobless rate in February marks the 24th consecutive month above 7%.

Arkansas’ total nonfarm employment rolls added 2,000 jobs between January and February, settling at 1.171 million. The February figure is 22,900 jobs above the 1.148 million in February 2010, but 8,500 jobs below February 2009. The state’s nonfarm employment is down 38,800 jobs since the peak of 1.210 million in February 2008.

Employment in Arkansas’ manufacturing sector dropped to an estimated 157,100 jobs in February from 158,400 in January. The job level was also below the 158,800 in February 2010. The February employment is the lowest in the sector since at least 1990 (as far back as immediately available records allow).

The manufacturing sector in Arkansas has lost 76,400 jobs in the past 10 years (February 2001-February 2011), or 32.7% of sector employment.

SECTOR NOTES
• Construction and construction-related jobs fell to 45,500 in February compared to 46,800 in January. The estimate is also below the 47,700 in February 2010. The job count is 12,000 below the peak of 57,500 first reached in February 2006.

• Jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector — the state’s largest sector — was estimated at 238,300 in February, up from 236,700 in January and up considerably over the 232,700 in February 2010. The sector is down 0.33% compared to February 2009.

• The Professional & Business services sector gained an estimated 2,800 jobs in February to settle at 123,800. The sector employed 114,900 in February 2010.

• The state’s tourism sector — Leisure & Hospitality jobs — fell to 101,600 jobs in February. The sector employed 102,000 in January, and 97,200 in February 2010.

• The government sector saw jobs increase to 215,900 in February, compared to a revised 215,200 in January. The level also was up from 214,900 in February 2010.

NATIONAL STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, 7 states recorded unemployment rate increases, 41 states registered rate decreases, and 2 states had no rate change compared to February 2010.

Nevada continued to register the highest unemployment rate among the states, with 13.6% in February. The states with the next highest rates were California (12.2%) and Florida (11.5%).

North Dakota reported the lowest jobless rate, 3.7%, followed by Nebraska and South Dakota, 4.3% and 4.8%, respectively.