The Bureau of Labor Statistics has issued its fourth quarter 2008 report on employment and wages. Arkansas suffered along with the rest of the country. Here’s the report.

Some tidbits: The number of jobs dropped in the state’s three largest counties — Pulaski, Washington, Benton — as it did in most U.S. counties, but the drop was smallest, 1.2 percent, in Pulaski. Nationally, the employment number dropped 2.3 percent.

Advertisement

There was this anomaly, though, on wages. Benton County may have had a bigger percentage drop in jobs, but average wages increased 6.3 percent, the 15th-highest county rate of improvement in the country. Conversely, wages in Pulaski, which led the country a year ago, ranked last with a 14.3 percent drop.

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Weekend To-Do: T Tauri Film Festival Next article Thursday: Greg Spradlin, Flash Larue, Ryan Couron, Art Fashion Trade Show Dance and more