Arkansas’ Jobless Rate Falls To 6% In October

Arkansas’ October unemployment tumbled two-tenths of a percent from September to 6%. The jobless rate was also far below the October 2013 reading of 7.6%.

U.S. unemployment also fell two-tenths between months to 5.8%.

Labor Department statistics released by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services showed the state’s civilian labor force gaining month-to-month and year-over-year jobs – a departure from recent trends.

In October 2014, the state recorded 1,228,400 workers compared to 1,219,000 in September and 1,225,100 in October 2013. The respective net job gains were 9,400 month-over-month and 3,300 year-over-year.

The number of unemployed shrunk to 79,000 in October, down 2,000 from September and 21,600 one year ago.

“Arkansas’ employment increased for the second month in a row, adding 9,400 this month. Compared to October 2013, the number of employed Arkansans is up 3,300,” said DWS Communications Director Becky Heflin.

In the separately released non farm payroll job summary report, Arkansas saw gains in six of the state’s 11 industry categories. The year-over-year job gains and losses are as follows:

Mining/Logging +400
Construction +3,000
Manufacturing +4,800
Trade/Transportation -2,000
Information -500
Financial 0
Professional/Business +3,800
Education/Health +4,000
Leisure/Hospitality +3,300
Other -100
Government -400