By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained constant at 4.9 percent in July, from June 2019, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national rate remained at 3.7 percent from June. In July 2018, the state had a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.7 percent, and the national was at 3.9 percent.
The state had a net loss of 11,400 non-farm jobs over the month, which is less than the historical 10-year (2009-2018) average loss of 21,000 jobs. Manufacturing had the largest increase of jobs with 1,700, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities with 1,100. Of the 11 sectors tracked, Natural Resources & Mining recorded the smallest net gain of 200 jobs, while Government recorded the largest net loss of 6,500 jobs.
Construction in Arizona came in second in job gains from July 2018 to July 2019 with a total of 17,500, while Education and Health Services took the top slot with 23,200.
The Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 36,600 jobs in Buildings, which increased by 1,100 from June 2019 and increased 3,500 from July 2018. Heavy Construction gained 300 over the month for a total of 20,000 and is up 1,800 from July 2018. Specialty Trades decreased 900 for the month at 120,600, and the segment added 12,200 over the year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) decreased 200 over the month, for a total of 137,200. The July 2018 number was 125,300.
The Metro Tucson construction jobs decreased 100 from June 2019 for a total of 17,700 and increased by 700 from July 2018.
Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas combine Construction and Natural Resources jobs in reporting their job sector totals. Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas remained at 2,600, 2,700 and 6,400, 3,500 and 1,800 respectively for the month. Prescott gained 100 for the month for a total of 6,500.