By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 3.8% to 3.6% from March to April, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national unemployment rate increased over the month, rising to 3.9% from 3.8%. Last April, Arizona had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6%, while the national rate was 3.4%.
The Arizona Construction was unchanged over the month.
Arizona had a not-seasonally adjusted gain of 12,900 in nonfarm employment in February. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment gained 9,500 jobs on average in April,” the report states.
The private sector gained 11,600 jobs over the month, led by Private Education & Health Services adding 4,800 jobs and Professional & Business Services adding 2,000 jobs. Government gained 1,300 in April.
Of the 11 sectors tracked, eight reported gains over the month. One sector—Manufacturing—lost 400 jobs, and both Construction and Natural Resources and Mining were unchanged. Year-over-year, seven of the 11 sectors reported gains, including Construction’s addition of 5,800 jobs. Four sectors lost jobs, with Leisure & Hospitality leading with a loss of 7,900.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 216,000 jobs. In April 2023, the sector reported 210,200.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 47,200 jobs in Buildings, which is down 700 from March and up 3,300 from April 2023. Heavy Construction was unchanged with 25,200 but added 1,000 over the year. Specialty Trades lost 700 over the month for a total of 143,600, and the segment gained 1,500 year-over-year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) gained 600 over the month for a total of 171,100. The April 2023 number was 167,500. Metro Tucson lost 100 construction jobs over the month at 20,800, 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. Each of the areas reported gains of 100 jobs. Yuma had 3,800. Flagstaff reported 3,100. Prescott had 7,300; Lake Havasu City-Kingman reported 4,800, and Sierra Vista-Douglas ended the month with 2,200.