Arkansas’ February Unemployment Rate Unchanged

Arkansas’ February unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.8% from January. One year ago, Arkansas’ jobless rate was 8%.

 

The U.S. unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a point to 8.9%.

 

Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs increased 8,400 in February to total 1,161,000.

 

Arkansas Dept. of Workforce Services Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, “Over the year, the number of employed Arkansans rose 15,800. This expansion is partly related to increased employment in service-providing industries.” 

 

The largest monthly gain occurred in professional and business services, up 4,700 jobs for the month. Most of the increase was related to additions at employment agencies and seasonal gains in accounting and bookkeeping services.  

 

The government sector added 4,000 jobs, as public school employment returned to normal after the winter break.  

 

The largest decline occurred in manufacturing, down 1,400 workers, with losses in both nondurable and durable goods manufacturing. Jobs in construction fell by 1,100.