Arkansas’ unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in April, according to new figures released Thursday by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The state’s civilian labor force declined by 853 people during the month, while employment increased by 359 workers. Arkansas employment remained at a record high level for the fourth consecutive month.
Compared to April 2025, Arkansas has added 19,615 employed workers, although the unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased by 5,800 in April to a total of 1,347,400 jobs statewide.
The largest monthly job gains occurred in the leisure and hospitality sector, which added 2,400 jobs, followed by professional and business services with an increase of 1,800 jobs.
Over the past year, Arkansas added 3,500 nonfarm payroll jobs. The strongest growth came in trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and private education and health services.
Government and construction posted the largest annual declines.
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