By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.4% in April, down from 3.5% in March, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national rate decreased to 3.4% from 3.5%. In April 2022, the state had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6%, as did the national rate.
Including Construction’s gain of 1,900 employees in April, the state had a gain of 13,800 non-farm jobs. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), private sector employment averaged a gain of 8,600 jobs in April,” the report states.
The private sector gained 10,300 jobs over the month, led by Leisure & Hospitality gaining 5,100 and Private Education & Health Services’ gaining 4,300. Government gained 3,500.
Six of the 11 sectors tracked added jobs in March; four experienced losses, and one—Information—was unchanged. Year-over-Year, seven of the 11 sectors reported gains.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 197,900 jobs, which increased by 1,900 from March. In March 2022 the sector reported 191,800.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 42,900 jobs in Buildings, which is up 300 from March and up 2,400 from April 2022. Heavy Construction gained 100 over the month for a total of 22,500 and 700 over the year. Specialty Trades rose by 1,500 over the month for a total of 132,500, and the segment gained 3,000 over the year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) increased by 700 over the month for a total of 158,200. The April 2022 number was 150,000. Metro Tucson construction jobs came in at 19,800 jobs for the month, up 100 for the month, and up 300 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. Flagstaff and Prescott both added 100 jobs, reporting totals of 2,900 and 7,000, respectively. Yuma (4,100), Lake Havasu City-Kingman (4,300) and Sierra Vista-Douglas (2,000) were unchanged.