Fort Smith metro Education and Health Services sector jobs up almost 5%

Four of the six largest job categories in the Fort Smith metro had year-over-year job gains in March, with the Education and Health Services category posting the most new jobs and setting a new employment record.

The Fort Smith metro had an estimated 98,470 jobs in March, up 970 jobs, or 1%, compared with March 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional employment remains below the peak of 104,228 in June 2008. The metro had 3,671 unemployed, up 4.3% from 3,518 in March 2024. The March numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Education and Health Services jobs totaled 17,700 in March, up 4.7% compared with March 2024, and was a new record for the sector.

The metro unemployment rate was 3.6% in March, which was better than the 4.1% in February but just below the 3.5% in March 2024. Arkansas’ jobless rate in March was 3.7%, up from 3.4% in March 2024. Unemployment rates were higher in March than a year earlier in 279 of the 387 U.S. metro areas, lower in 72 areas, and unchanged in 36 areas.

Following are details on the region’s top six job categories.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
March 2025: 22,000
March 2024: 21,900
The sector posted record employment of 22,700 in November 2022.

Manufacturing
March 2025: 18,000
March 2024: 17,900
The sector posted record employment of 29,200 in June 1999.

Education and Health Services
March 2025: 17,700
March 2024: 16,900
The sector posted record employment in the March report.

Government
March 2025: 12,600
March 2024: 12,800
The sector posted record employment of 15,000 in March 2020.

Professional and Business Services
March 2025: 11,100
March 2024: 10,700
The sector posted record employment of 12,700 in April 2017.

Leisure and Hospitality (tourism)
March 2025: 9,100
March 2024: 9,100
The sector posted record employment of 9,500 in June 2023.