Employment in Arkansas Grows as Unemployment Moves to 3.9% in August
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sep. 18, 2026) — Today, the Arkansas Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, announced Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point, down from 4.0% in July to 3.9% in August. The United States jobless rate remained stable at 4.1% between July and August.
Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary
- Arkansas’ civilian labor force rose by 192 in August, a result of 1,972 more employed and 1,780 fewer unemployed Arkansans actively seeking work. The civilian labor force and employment both remain at a record-high levels. The number of unemployed people actively seeking work has steadily declined throughout 2026, pushing the unemployment rate down for a fourth consecutive month.
- Compared to August 2025, there are 22,140 more employed Arkansans. An increase in the size of the civilian labor force plus steady population increases caused the labor force participation rate to rise four-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary
- Nonfarm payroll jobs rose 12,200 in August, mostly due to seasonal hiring. The largest gains were in Government (+5,700) and Private Education and Health Services (+3,200), reflecting the start of the school year. Hiring in Professional-Business Services (+1,700) and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,500) were also related in part to hiring for the new school year.
- Compared to August 2025, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas are up 11,300. Notable annual growth occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (+6,200), Professional-Business Services (+3,400), Trade-Transportation-Utilities (+2,800), and Construction (+1,500). Over-the-year declines were reported in Government (-1,300), Financial Activities (-1,200), and Other Services (-1,100).
Arkansas Civilian Labor Force (Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey. More information is available at https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm.
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
Source: Monthly Survey of Employers, based on 1st Quarter 2025 benchmark. Note: Current month’s data are preliminary; previous month’s data are revised.
Employment in Arkansas (Seasonally Adjusted) 3-Year Comparison
Data for October 2025 is not available due to a lapse in Federal appropriations
Job Gains/Losses by Major Industry Sectors August 2025 to August 2026 (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
For more labor market data, visit www.discover.arkansas.gov.
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About Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) The BLS measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity In the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.
About Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) The LAUS program produces monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data for Census regions and divisions, states, counties, metropolitan areas, and many cities, by place of residence.
About Current Employment Statistics (CES) The CES program produces detailed industry estimates of employment, hours, and earnings of workers on nonfarm payrolls. CES State and Metro Area produces data for all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and about 450 metropolitan areas.
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