By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.8% in January, down from 4.0% in December, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national rate decreased to 3.4% from 3.5%. In January 2022, the state had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6%, and the national was 4.0%.
The state had a loss of 32,600 non-farm jobs over the month. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment lost 51,000 jobs on average in January” the report states. Government gained 2,700 jobs in January.
The private sector lost 35,300 jobs over the month, led by Trade, Transportation & Utilities with 16,500 and Professional and Business Services with 6,400.
Only 2 of the 11 sectors tracked gained jobs in January. All 11 reported year-over-year gains, however, including 6,700 in Construction.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 191,300 jobs, which decreased by 1,200 from December. In January 2022 the sector reported 184,600.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 40,400 jobs in Buildings, which is down 500 from December and up 1,500 from January 2022. Heavy Construction fell by 100 over the month for a total of 21,700 and gained 600 over the year. Specialty Trades dropped by 600 over the month for a total of 129,200, and the segment gained 4,600 over the year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) decreased by 500 over the month for a total of 152,600. The January 2022 number was 144,200. Metro Tucson construction jobs came in at 19,400 jobs for the month, down 300 from December, and up 400 year-over-year.
Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas combine Construction and Natural Resources jobs in reporting their job sector totals. All five areas were unchanged for the month, with Yuma reporting a total of 4,000, and Flagstaff at 2,800. Prescott with 6,900, Lake Havasu City-Kingman at 4,200, and Sierra Vista-Douglas ending the month at 2,000.