By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4% was unchanged for the month of May, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national unemployment rate increased to 3.7% from 3.4%. In May 2022, Arizona had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.7%, while the national rate was 3.6%
Including Construction’s loss of 1,300 employees in May, the state had a loss of 19,100 non-farm jobs. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment lost 6,700 jobs on average in May,” the report states.
The private sector lost 14,600 jobs over the month, led by Professional & Business Services’ loss of 7,200 and Financial Activities dropping 3,800. Government lost 4,500.
Seven of the 11 sectors tracked lost jobs in May; three experienced gains, and one—Leisure & Hospitality—was unchanged. Year-over-Year, eight of the 11 sectors reported gains, including Construction’s addition of 2,000 jobs.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 195,800 jobs, which decreased by 1,300 from the April total. In May 2022 the sector reported 193,800.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 42,200 jobs in Buildings, which is down 800 from April and up 1,200 from May 2022. Heavy Construction dropped 100 over the month, for a total of 22,400, but added 300 over the year. Specialty Trades fell by 400 over the month for a total of 131,200, and the segment gained 500 year-over-year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) dropped 1,100 over the month for a total of 156,200. The May 2022 number was 151,400. Metro Tucson construction jobs came in at 19,900 jobs, up 100 for both the month of May and 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. Yuma added 100 for a total of 4,200. Flagstaff was unchanged at 2,900. Mining and Construction jobs increased by 200 in Prescott to 7,100. Lake Havasu City-Kingman was unchanged with 4,300, as was Sierra Vista Douglas at 2,000.