By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in September, from 5 percent in August 2019, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national rate decreased to 3.5 percent from August. In September 2018, the state had a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.8 percent, and the national was at 3.7 percent.
The state had a net gain of 21,900 non-farm jobs over the month, which is lower than the historical 10-year (2009-2018) average gain of 28,500 jobs. Government had the largest increase of jobs with 12,100, followed by Professional & Business Services with 3,600. Of the 11 sectors tracked, Other Services recorded the smallest net gain of 400 jobs, while Manufacturing recorded the largest net loss of 400 jobs.
Construction in Arizona took the top spot in job gains from September 2018 to September 2019 with a total of 16,800, while Education and Health Services came in second with 16,300.
The Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 36,700 jobs in Buildings, which increased by 700 from August 2019 and increased 3,300 from September 2018. Heavy Construction gained 300 over the month for a total of 20,500 and is up 1,900 from September 2018. Specialty Trades increased 800 for the month at 120,600, and the segment added 11,600 over the year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) increased 1,600 over the month for a total of 138,700. The September 2018 number was 126,300.
The Metro Tucson construction jobs decreased 100 from August 2019 for a total of 17,800 and increased by 600 from September 2018.
Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas combine Construction and Natural Resources jobs in reporting their job sector totals. Prescott lost 100 for the month for a total of 6,400. Yuma, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas remained at 2,500, 2,700, 3,500 and 1,800 respectively for the month.
