Arkansas jobless numbers up more than 10% in June, jobless rate holds at 3.7%

The number of Arkansans without jobs increased more than 10% in June, with year-over-year job gains up less than 1% in June. The state’s jobless rate held at 3.7%, up from 3.4% in June 2024. June was the fourth consecutive month the jobless rate was 3.7%.

The number of employed in Arkansas during June was an estimated 1,371,204, up 10,049 jobs, or 0.74%, compared with June 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report posted Friday (July 18). The June numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Arkansas’ labor force, the number of people eligible to work, in June was 1,423,885, up 1.06% from 1,408,950 in June 2024. The state’s labor force participation rate in June was 58.4%, up from 58.2% in June 2024. Arkansans without jobs in June totaled 52,681, up 10.2% compared with 47,795 in June 2024.

The biggest year-over-year sector gains were in education and health services (11,000 more jobs); trade, transportation and utilities (3,700 more jobs); and leisure and hospitality (3,000 more jobs).

NATIONAL NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in June in two states, higher in one state, and stable in 47 states, according to the BLS report. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, four states had decreases, and 27 states had little change. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1%, changed little over the month and was the same as in June 2024.

South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in June at 1.8%. The District of Columbia had the highest jobless rate at 5.9%. The next highest rates were in California and Nevada at 5.4% each. In total, 18 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 4.1%, six states had higher rates, and 26 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 15 states and was essentially unchanged in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The largest job gains occurred in Texas (up 198,300), Florida (up 142,300), and New York (up 100,100). The largest percentage increases occurred in South Carolina (up 2.9%), Idaho (up 2.5%), and Hawaii (up 2.3%).

ARKANSAS JOB SECTOR NUMBERS
Trade, transportation, and utilities
June 2025: 272,900
June 2024: 269,200
June marked an employment record for the sector.

Education and health services
June 2025: 222,900
June 2024: 211,900
June marked an employment record for the sector.

Government
June 2025: 212,800
June 2024: 212,200
Sector employment hit a peak of 224,100 in May 2010.

Manufacturing
June 2025: 164,300
June 2024: 162,000
Manufacturing, once the state’s largest jobs sector, posted record employment of 247,600 in February 1995.

Professional and business services
June 2025: 160,000
June 2024: 159,600
January marked an employment record for the sector with 163,500 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality
June 2025: 131,500
June 2024: 128,500
June marked an employment record for the sector.

Financial activities
June 2025: 69,700
June 2024: 69,600
March first marked an employment record for the sector with 71,300 jobs.

Construction
June 2025: 65,200
June 2024: 67,100
August 2024 marked an employment record for the sector with 67,500 jobs.