Arkansas’ Jobless Rate Loses Ground As National Picture Improves

Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point as the U.S. unemployment rate fell in April as more than 223,000 jobs were added to the nation’s fast-growing labor pool, according to the monthly labor force data compiled and produced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

“Arkansas’ unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point in April, with both employment and unemployment adding to the civilian labor force,” said Susan Price, the program operations manager with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS). “The unemployment rate is still six-tenths of a percentage point lower than in April 2014.”

Nationwide, the U.S. economy added a robust 223,000 jobs in April alone as the U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 5.4% from 5.5%. The unemployment rate last year was around 6.2% as nearly 1.1 million jobs have been added to the nation’s payrolls over the past 12 months, according to the BLS.

As of April 2015, the state’s civilian labor force rose by 4,100, a result of 2,600 more employed and 1,500 additional unemployed Arkansans. Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased 13,700 in April to total 1,215,500.

There are now 1,334,900 in the Arkansas labor pool, up from 1,330,800 workers in March and a 5.7% gain from 1,258,800 in the same period a year ago.

Overall, eight major industry sectors posted gains. Leisure and hospitality added 3,100 jobs, mostly in food services, which grew by 2,200. Employment in construction rose 2,800, an expected seasonal expansion.

Jobs in trade, transportation, and utilities increased 2,600. Retail trade posted a majority of the seasonal gains (+2,200). Professional and business services added 1,800 jobs. All hiring occurred in administrative and support services by 2,300, which includes employment agencies.

Compared to April 2014, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll employment has increased 25,600. Growth occurred in nine major industry sectors, with five sectors adding 3,000 or more jobs, each. Employment in leisure and hospitality rose 6,700 with a majority of the expansion was reported in food services, which gained 5,700 jobs.

Trade, transportation, and utilities gained 5,500 jobs, spread throughout all subsectors. Jobs in educational and health services increased 4,600. A majority of the growth was in health care and social assistance at 4,400. Professional and business services added 3,100 jobs. Administrative and support services posted most of the gains with 2,900 jobs, related in part to temporary help services. Employment in construction rose by 3,000.