Little Rock officials say Arkansas jobs hit record high in September
Little Rock leaders reported that the state set an all-time employment record in September. The statewide jobless percentage held completely flat during that same period. The Arkansas Department of Commerce announced the new workforce data on Tuesday.
State figures showed the seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained at 3.9% between August and September. The national rate rose from 4.1% to 4.2% across the same timeframe.
Arkansas gained 1,168 workers in its civilian labor force in September. Total employment increased by 1,902 workers to establish the new peak. The count of jobless residents decreased for the eighth straight month.
The state recorded 20,642 more working residents than it had in September 2025. The overall labor force participation rate gained 0.2 percentage points over the year.
Nonfarm payroll positions grew by 12,500 jobs during September, according to state numbers. Little Rock analysts counted 1,354,400 nonfarm payroll positions across the state.
Public sector jobs increased by 10,500 positions as school began. Private education and health services expanded by 3,600 roles. Manufacturing added 600 jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities added 400 positions during September. Leisure and hospitality lost 1,900 jobs. State officials noted that this seasonal drop was expected.
Nonfarm payrolls expanded by 11,100 jobs compared to September 2025. Seven major industrial sectors across Arkansas experienced yearly job expansion.
Leisure and hospitality led yearly gains by adding 4,500 positions. Other annual increases included:
- Trade, transportation and utilities: 3,200 jobs
- Private education and health services: 1,600 jobs
- Professional and business services: 1,500 jobs
- Construction: 1,200 jobs
The Arkansas Department of Commerce tracks employment trends and publishes monthly labor market reports for the public. State economists use these surveys to evaluate business sector shifts across local communities.
Additional labor market data remains available from Little Rock staff through Discover.Arkansas.gov.
