By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.5% in March, down from 3.7% in February, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national rate decreased to 3.5% from 3.6%. In March 2022, the state had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6%, as did the national rate.
While Construction gained 1,500 employees in March, the state had a loss of 9,800 non-farm jobs. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment gained an average of 10,800 jobs in March,” the report states. Manufacturing gained 1,800 jobs for the month and was the only sector with greater gains than Construction.
The private sector lost 10,300 jobs over the month, led by Private Education & Health Services’ loss of 4,300 and Professional & Business Services’ decline of 4,100 jobs. Government gained 500.
Four of the 11 sectors traced added jobs in March; six experienced losses, and one—Natural Resources and Mining—was unchanged. Eight of the 11 saw increases Year-over-Year.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 196,000 jobs, which increased 1,500 from February. In March 2022 the sector reported 190,200.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 42,600 jobs in Buildings, which is up 1,100 from February and up 2,300 from March 2022. Heavy Construction gained 100 over the month for a total of 22,300 and 600 over the year. Specialty Trades rose by 300 over the month for a total of 131,100, and the segment gained 2,900 over the year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) increased by 2,400 over the month for a total of 157,900. The March 2022 number was 149,000. Metro Tucson construction jobs came in at 19,700 jobs, up 100 for the month, and up 200 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. All five areas were unchanged for the month, with Yuma reporting a total of 4,000, 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.