Professional and business services, tourism drive Arkansas job growth in June

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by Michael Tilley ([email protected]) ago 32 views 

Arkansas job numbers rose year over year by less than 1% in June, with the state’s jobless rate pegged at 4.1%, down from 4.2% in May, and up slightly from 4% in June 2025. The number of jobless in Arkansas during the month was almost 4%.

Estimated nonfarm payroll jobs in June totaled 1,343,000, up 4,700 jobs, or 0.35% compared with 1,338,300 in June 2025, according Tuesday’s (July 21) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Net new jobs were up 11,300 in January, up 8,700 in February, up 7,000 in March, up 4,400 in April, and up 5,900 in May. The nonfarm jobs number set a record of 1,345,900 in January.

The U.S. jobless rate in June was 4.2%, up from 4.1% in June 2025. The June numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

The state’s labor force in June was 1,457,656, up 1.8% from 1,431,816 in June 2025. The labor force participation rate was 59.2%, up from 58.5% in June 2025. The number of unemployed was 59,655, up 3.9% compared with June 2025.

The biggest year-over-year sector gains with nonfarm employment were in Professional and Business Services (2,600 more jobs), Leisure and Hospitality (2,400 more jobs), and Trade, Transportation, Utilities (2,300 more jobs). The Financial services sector shed 1,600 jobs between June 2025 and June 2026, and the government sector had 1,400 fewer jobs.

ARKANSAS JOB SECTOR NUMBERS
(nonfarm employment, seasonally adjusted)
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
June 2026: 273,000
June 2025: 270,700
The sector posted record jobs of 275,100 in December 2025.

Education and Health Services
June 2026: 210,600
June 2025: 209,800
April employment marked a new record for the sector with 212,700 jobs.

Government
June 2026: 204,700
June 2025: 206,100
The sector set a record of 220,100 in June 2010.

Professional and Business Services
June 2026: 167,300
June 2025: 164,700
May first marked a new record for the sector with 167,300 jobs.

Manufacturing
June 2026: 159,200
June 2025: 159,400
The sector set a record of 247,600 in February 1995.

Leisure and Hospitality
June 2026: 134,300
June 2025: 131,700
February employment of 135,100 marked a new record for the sector.

Financial Activities
June 2026: 58,300
June 2025: 59,900
The sector set a record of 60,200 in May 2025.

Construction
June 2026: 66,800
June 2025: 66,400
The sector set a record of 67,600 in August 2024.

NATIONAL NUMBERS
Unemployment rates were lower in June in 8 states, higher in 2 states, and stable in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Thirteen states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 7 states had decreases, and 30 states and the District had little change. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 4 states, decreased in 1 state and the District, and was essentially unchanged in 45 states.

South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in June at 2%. The District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate at 6%. In total, 17 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 4.2%, 8 states and the District had higher rates, and 25 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.