LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas nonfarm payroll employment climbed to 1,350,800 jobs in September, the highest level in the federal data series, while the state’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.9%, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The state added 2,900 jobs from August on a seasonally adjusted basis and 11,700 jobs over the past year, a gain of 0.9%. The jobless rate was unchanged from August and down from 4.2% in September 2025, remaining below the national rate of 4.2%.
Education and health services led the monthly gains, adding 1,200 jobs for a total of 212,600. Leisure and hospitality added 700 jobs to reach a record 136,300, and trade, transportation and utilities added 400 jobs to reach a record 275,700. Professional and business services grew by 600 jobs to 166,700, and manufacturing added 200 jobs to reach 159,200. Construction was the only sector to lose ground in September, shedding 300 jobs to 67,300.
Over the past year, trade, transportation and utilities posted the largest gain among the state’s major sectors, adding 3,900 jobs. Government employment fell by 600 over the year and financial activities dropped by 1,000, among the few sectors below their year-ago levels.
The state’s civilian labor force grew to 1,459,190 in September, and the number of unemployed Arkansans fell to 56,194, down 8.3% from a year earlier. The labor force participation rate rose to 59.1%, up from 58.9% a year ago.
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Figures not adjusted for seasonal swings showed payrolls up 12,500 jobs in September to 1,354,400. The bureau said the September figures are preliminary and subject to revision.
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