Fort Smith metro job numbers up less than 1% in September report

September nonfarm employment in the Fort Smith metro was at the highest level for the year, with the biggest job gains posted in the Trade, Transportation, Utilities and Education and Health Services sectors.

The Fort Smith metro had an estimated 104,600 nonfarm jobs in September, up 800 jobs, or 0.77%, compared with September 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The September numbers are preliminary and subject to revision. Regional employment remains below the peak of 108,800 in November 2007.

The metro had 4,352 unemployed, up 32.1% from 3,294 in September 2024. The metro jobless rate was 4.2%, up from 3.2% in September 2024. The state’s jobless rate was 3.9%, up from 3.5% in September 2024.

Trade, Transportation, Utilities jobs in the metro were an estimated 22,100 in September, up 500 jobs compared with 21,600 in September 2024. Education and Health Services jobs in the region were an estimated 17,800, up 400 jobs from 17,400 in September 2024.

The Professional and Business Services sector had an estimated 11,200 jobs in September, up from 11,000 in September 2024. The region’s Leisure and Hospitality (tourism) sector had 9,400 jobs, up from 9,200 in September 2024.

The 2025 numbers reflect significant revisions to the data and counties included in the estimates, with LeFlore County, Okla., removed from the Fort Smith metro.

Following are details on the region’s top seven job categories.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
September 2025: 22,100
September 2024: 21,600
The sector posted record employment of 22,700 in November 2022.

Education and Health Services
September 2025: 17,800
September 2024: 17,400
The sector first posted record employment of 17,800 in the May report.

Manufacturing
September 2025: 18,100
September 2024: 18,200
The sector posted record employment of 29,200 in June 1999.

Government
September 2025: 12,400
September 2024: 12,600
The sector posted record employment of 15,000 in March 2020.

Professional and Business Services
September 2025: 11,200
September 2024: 11,000
The sector posted record employment of 12,700 in April 2018.

Leisure and Hospitality (tourism)
September 2025: 9,400
September 2024: 9,420
June 2025 first marked record employment in the sector at 9,800 jobs.

Mining, Logging, Construction
September 2025: 5,100
September 2024: 5,100
The sector first posted record employment of 7,400 in August 2008.