Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Arkansas's total nonfarm employment reached about 1.35 million in 2024.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED ARNA).
Unemployment
Arkansas's unemployment rate was about 3.5% in 2024.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED ARUR).
Labor Force
Arkansas's civilian labor force totals about 1.37 million.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED ARLF).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 65.6 | 62.6 |
Occupations
Transportation and material moving jobs make up a large share of Arkansas's economy, reflecting its trucking hub status.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
Salaries
Arkansas's average annual wage is about $50,500, among the lowest in the nation.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU05000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU05000000500000003).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual wage | 50500 | 68000 |
Remote Work
About 10.8% of Arkansas workers work primarily from home, below the national average.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Work from home (%) | 10.8 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
Arkansas's labor force participation rate is about 57%, among the lowest in the U.S.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA05).