Arkansas Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Civilian Labor Force Shrinks
By: News Release
Updated: September 21, 2012
Labor force data, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and released today by the Department of Workforce Services, show Arkansas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 7.3 percent in August.
Arkansas' civilian labor force decreased 3,600, a result of 3,000 fewer employed and 600 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The United States' jobless rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.3 percent in July to 8.1 percent in August.
DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, "Reductions in both employment and unemployment made for a smaller civilian labor force. This collective combination of decreases produced no change in the unemployment rate. There are still 11,000 fewer unemployed Arkansans than in August 2011."
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased 4,900 in August to total 1,161,400. Five major industry sectors added jobs, more than offsetting declines in six sectors. Government posted a seasonal gain of 4,500 jobs. Local (+2,900) and state (+1,600) government increased as public schools began hiring for the 2012/2013 school year. Jobs in educational and health services rose 1,700.
While some of the gain was attributed to private school employment, a majority was posted in social assistance (+1,400). Construction added 1,500 jobs, a result of reported hiring in heavy and civil engineering construction, building equipment contractors and other specialty trade contractors. Manufacturing posted the largest decrease (-1,200). Declines were reported in both durable goods (-700) and nondurable goods (-500) manufacturing.
Since August 2011, Arkansas' nonfarm payroll employment rose 9,600. Seven major industry sectors enjoyed growth, while four sectors posted declines. Educational and health services reported the largest increase (+7,500). Most of the gain occurred in health care and social assistance (+5,500), particularly in individual-family services and ambulatory health care services.
Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose 4,300. A majority of the growth was related to food services (+3,700). Construction posted the largest decrease (-2,400). The greatest losses were reported in utility system construction and building equipment contractors. Employment in manufacturing decreased 1,200. Declines in nondurable goods(-3,400) more than offset reported growth in durable goods manufacturing (+2,200).
Arkansas' civilian labor force decreased 3,600, a result of 3,000 fewer employed and 600 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The United States' jobless rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.3 percent in July to 8.1 percent in August.
DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, "Reductions in both employment and unemployment made for a smaller civilian labor force. This collective combination of decreases produced no change in the unemployment rate. There are still 11,000 fewer unemployed Arkansans than in August 2011."
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased 4,900 in August to total 1,161,400. Five major industry sectors added jobs, more than offsetting declines in six sectors. Government posted a seasonal gain of 4,500 jobs. Local (+2,900) and state (+1,600) government increased as public schools began hiring for the 2012/2013 school year. Jobs in educational and health services rose 1,700.
While some of the gain was attributed to private school employment, a majority was posted in social assistance (+1,400). Construction added 1,500 jobs, a result of reported hiring in heavy and civil engineering construction, building equipment contractors and other specialty trade contractors. Manufacturing posted the largest decrease (-1,200). Declines were reported in both durable goods (-700) and nondurable goods (-500) manufacturing.
Since August 2011, Arkansas' nonfarm payroll employment rose 9,600. Seven major industry sectors enjoyed growth, while four sectors posted declines. Educational and health services reported the largest increase (+7,500). Most of the gain occurred in health care and social assistance (+5,500), particularly in individual-family services and ambulatory health care services.
Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose 4,300. A majority of the growth was related to food services (+3,700). Construction posted the largest decrease (-2,400). The greatest losses were reported in utility system construction and building equipment contractors. Employment in manufacturing decreased 1,200. Declines in nondurable goods(-3,400) more than offset reported growth in durable goods manufacturing (+2,200).
