Most Arkansas metros post year-over-year job gains in November
November year-over-year job numbers were up in six of the seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas, with the largest percentage job growth in Northwest Arkansas. All seven metros had increases in the number of unemployed.
Jobless rates in the seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas ranged from a low of 3.2% in Northwest Arkansas to a high of 4.4% in the Hot Springs, Texarkana, and Memphis/West Memphis metros, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report posted Friday (Jan. 16).
The November report is preliminary and subject to revision. The report was delayed because of the federal government shutdown.
Central Arkansas – Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway – had 405,300 nonfarm jobs in November, up 4,400 jobs, or 1.1%, compared with November 2024. The metro had 15,574 unemployed, up 34.2% from 11,600 in November 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the November report.
Northwest Arkansas, the state’s second largest metro area, had an estimated 324,900 nonfarm jobs in November, up 11,800 jobs, or 3.7%, compared with November 2024. The metro had 10,438 unemployed, up 33.6% from 7,812 in November 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the November report.
The Fort Smith metro, Arkansas’ third largest metro had an estimated 105,500 nonfarm jobs in November, up 1,000 jobs, or 0.95%, compared with November 2024. Regional employment remains below the peak of 108,800 in November 2007. The metro had 4,358 unemployed, up 32.6% from 3,285 in November 2024.
The Jonesboro metro had an estimated 66,600 nonfarm jobs in November, up 900 jobs, or 1.4%, compared with November 2024. The metro had 2,645 unemployed, up 30.1% from 2,033 in November 2024. The region set a nonfarm jobs record with the November report.
The 2025 numbers reflect significant revisions to the data and counties included in the estimates. McDonald County, Mo., was removed from the Northwest Arkansas metro, LeFlore County, Okla., was removed from the Fort Smith metro, and Pine Bluff is no longer reported as a metropolitan statistical area.
ARKANSAS, NATIONAL NUMBERS
Arkansas’ jobless rate in November was 4.1%, up from 3.6% in November 2024. Total nonfarm employment was an estimated 1,392,800 in November, up 17,700 jobs, or 1.3%, compared with 1,375,100 in November 2024, according to BLS numbers. The number of unemployed was 59,384, up 17.6% compared with November 2024.
Unemployment rates were higher in November than a year earlier in 259 of the 387 metropolitan areas, lower in 100 areas, and unchanged in 28 areas, according to the BLS report. A total of 44 areas had jobless rates of less than 3% and 8 areas had rates of at least 8%.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 8 metro areas, declined in 2 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 377 areas. The national jobless rate in November was 4.3%, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4% a year earlier.
In November, Sioux Falls, S.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rate at 2%, followed by Rapid City, S.D., at 2.1%. El Centro, Calif., had the highest rate at 20%. A total of 224 areas had November jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.3%, 156 areas had rates above it, and 7 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.
ARKANSAS METRO JOBS DATA
Following are labor market data for the seven metro areas.
• Northwest Arkansas
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 324,900
November 2024: 313,100
Unemployed
November 2025: 10,438
November 2024: 7,812
Jobless rate
November 2025: 3.2%
November 2024: 2.5%
• Fort Smith metro (Arkansas-Oklahoma)
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 105,500
November 2024: 104,500
Unemployed
November 2025: 4,358
November 2024: 3,285
Jobless rate
November 2025: 4.2%
November 2024: 3.2%
• Hot Springs
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 40,800
November 2024: 40,600
Unemployed
November 2025: 1,935
November 2024: 1,464
Jobless rate
November 2025: 4.4%
November 2024: 3.4%
• Jonesboro
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 66,600
November 2024: 65,700
Unemployed
November 2025: 2,645
November 2024: 2,033
Jobless rate
November 2025: 3.9%
November 2024: 3.1%
• Central Arkansas (Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway)
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 405,300
November 2024: 400,900
Unemployed
November 2025: 15,574
November 2024: 11,600
Jobless rate
November 2025: 4%
November 2024: 3%
• Memphis/West Memphis (Tennessee-Arkansas)
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 664,900
November 2024: 665,200
Unemployed
November 2025: 27,794
November 2024: 27,355
Jobless rate
November 2025: 4.4%
November 2024: 4.4%
• Texarkana (Arkansas-Texas)
Nonfarm Employment
November 2025: 61,900
November 2024: 61,300
Unemployed
November 2025: 2,793
November 2024: 2,523
Jobless rate
November 2025: 4.4%
November 2024: 4%