Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.9% in September, up one-tenth of a percentage point from August, the Arkansas Department of Commerce reported Tuesday. The U.S. unemployment rate also rose one-tenth of a point to 4.4%.
The state’s civilian labor force grew by 3,437 in September, with 1,891 more Arkansans actively seeking work and 1,546 additional employed. Labor force participation rose to 58.5%, while both employment and the size of the labor force remain at record highs.
Compared to September 2024, Arkansas has 9,049 more employed residents and 6,047 more unemployed, pushing the annual unemployment rate up four-tenths of a percentage point.
Nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 16,000 in September to reach a record 1,393,300, largely driven by seasonal hiring related to the start of the 20252026 school year. Government added 13,100 jobs, including 9,200 in local educational services and 4,600 in state educational services. Private education and health services rose by 2,400, including 1,700 in private educational services.
Over the year, Arkansas added 22,700 jobs. Private education and health services saw the largest gains with 8,800 jobs, followed by trade, transportation and utilities (+4,900), leisure and hospitality (+4,700), professional and business services (+3,500), and manufacturing (+2,200).
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