LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ February unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.6 percent, statistics released today show, even though more Arkansans are working.
“Employment in Arkansas increased 3,400 this month, marking the seventh consecutive month of employment growth,” said Kimberly Friedman, spokeswoman for the state Department of Workforce Services. “There are now 21,000 more employed Arkansans than in February 2011.”
Workforce Services estimated that 1.28 million people were employed in the state and 105,300 were unemployed last month.
The state’s unemployment rate in February was 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 8.3 percent, which also was unchanged from January. In February 2011, Arkansas’ unemployment rate was 8 percent and the national rate was 9 percent.
Five major industry sectors posted job gains over January, while four posted losses and two remained constant.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The largest growth was in government, with 6,000 jobs added. Workforce Services said 5,200 jobs were added at the state level and 900 at the local level, while federal jobs declined by 100. Most of the growth was attributed to the end of the winter break at public universities.
Professional and business services added 1,400 jobs, 1,100 of them in professional/scientific/technical services, largely related to seasonal hiring in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services.
Leisure and hospitality added 1,400 jobs in accommodation and food services. Other services added 1,200 jobs, with hiring in both personal laundry services and maintenance and repair services.
The largest decline was in trade, transportation and utilities with 2,700 jobs lost, 2,600 of them in retail trade. The loss was mostly attributed to seasonal factors.
Since February 2011, six major industries have reported job growth and four have reported losses.
Government added 4,600 jobs in year-to-year growth, mostly at the local level because of expansions in public education. Jobs in educational and health services increased by 4,500 over the past year, mostly in health care and social assistance.
Leisure and hospitality jobs increased by 3,700 since February 2011, largely in food services. Construction added 1,700 jobs over the past year.
The largest year-to-year decline was in manufacturing, with 5,200 jobs lost since February 2011.