LITTLE ROCK — The unemployment rate in Arkansas dipped two percentage points to 7.6 percent in January, the fourth consecutive monthly drop in the state’s jobless rate, labor statistics released Tuesday show.
The rate in December was initially announced at 7.7 percent but later revised up to 7.8 percent.
“The number of employed in Arkansas rose 5,900 in January to reach 1,277,300, a level we have not seen since 2009,” said Kimberly Friedman, communications director for the state Department of Workforce Services.
“This gain contributed to the decline in the unemployment rate, which is half a percentage point lower than it was a year ago,” Friedman said.
The unemployment rate in Arkansas was .7 percentage points lower than the national rate of 8.3 percent in January.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The state reported 1.38 million people employed in the state in January and 105,200 were out of work. In December, 107,100 were unemployed.
The total civilian labor force in Arkansas grew 4,000 in January.
Jobs declined in eight major sectors in January, while jobs in one sector rose and in two others remained stable. Jobs in government saw the largest drop with 6,500 lost, with the bulk of that those blamed on public universities ending the fall semester.
Employment in trade, transportation and utilities dropped 6,000, with retail posting most of the decline, 5,300, because of the end of temporary holiday hiring.
Jobs in professional and business decreased 1,600. Administrative and support services lost 2,100 jobs, caused by fluctuations at employment agencies.
Leisure and hospitality jobs increased 800, most in food services.