By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.1% in November, up from 3.9% in October, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national rate was unchanged at 3.7%. In Nov. 2021, the state had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.9%, and the national rate was 4.2%.
The state had a net gain of 32,300 non-farm jobs over the month. “Prior to the pandemic, NSA nonfarm employment averaged a gain of 28,800 jobs in November (2010-2019),” the report states. Government gained 6,100, which is far greater than the pre-pandemic average of 1,600. Overall, the private sector increased by 26,200 jobs in November, with Trade, Transportation and Utilities and Education and Health Services as the leaders, showing increases of 12,500 and 5,900 jobs, respectively.
Year-over-year, Construction shows a gain of 9,300 – tying it with Government for the fourth leading sector. Construction gained 800 jobs in November. Natural Resources & Mining also gained, increasing by 800 for the month.
All 11 sectors tracked posted year-over-year gains. Education and Health Services led with 32,700, followed by Leisure & Hospitality with 21,400. Financial Activities showed the smallest year-over-year gains, adding jobs.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 188,500 jobs, which increased by 800 from October and was up 9,300 from Nov. 2021.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 38,500 jobs in Buildings, which is down 1,000 from October and up by 100 from Nov. 2021. Heavy Construction increased by 300 for the month with a total of 21,300 and 1,200 added over the year. Specialty Trades added 1,500 over the month for a total of 129,700. The segment gained 8,000 over the year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) added 800 over the month, for a total of 148,800. The Nov. 2021 number was 139,400. Metro Tucson construction was unchanged at 18,400. The Nov. 2021 total was 18,300.
Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City-Kingman and Sierra Vista-Douglas combine Construction and Natural Resources jobs in reporting their job sector totals. Flagstaff added 100, as did Lake Havasu City-Kingman. Yuma, Prescott and Sierra Vista-Douglas were unchanged.