By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.8% in August, up from 3.6% for the month of July, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national unemployment rate increased to 3.8% from 3.5%. In August 2022, Arizona had a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.0%, while the national rate was 3.7%.
The Construction sector reported job gains of 3,900 around the state.
Arizona had a gain of 49,700 jobs in nonfarm employment for the month. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment gained 54,000 jobs on average in August,” the report states.
The private sector gained 18,000 jobs over the month, led by Private Education & Health Services adding 8,800. Government gained 31,700, mostly in the subcategory of Local Government Education, which added 22,300.
Five of the 11 sectors tracked gained jobs in August; five experienced losses. Year-over-year, seven of the 11 sectors reported gains, including Construction’s addition of 7,200 jobs.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 203,800 jobs, which increased by 3,900 from the July total. In August 2022 the sector reported 196,600.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 45,900 jobs in Buildings, which is up 1,700 from July and up 3,300 from August 2022. Heavy Construction gained 700 over the month, for a total of 23,400, and added 1,400 over the year. Specialty Trades increased by 1,500 over the month for a total of 134,500, and the segment gained 2,500 year-over-year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) gained 2,800 over the month for a total of 162,200. The August 2022 number was 154,500. Metro Tucson added 300 construction jobs over the month at 20,300, which is an increase of 700 year-over-year.
Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas combine Mining and Construction jobs in reporting their job sector totals. Yuma construction jobs fell 100 for a total of 4,200. Flagstaff was unchanged at 3,000. Prescott lost 100, totaling 7,200. Lake Havasu City-Kingman was unchanged at 4,400, as was Sierra Vista-Douglas at 2,100.