By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.1% to 3.8% from February to March, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
The national unemployment rate also decreased over the month, dropping from 3.9% to 3.8%. Last March, Arizona had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6%, while the national rate was 3.5%.
The Construction sector lost 300 jobs around the state from February through March.
Arizona had a not-seasonally adjusted gain of 1,900 in nonfarm employment in February. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), NSA nonfarm employment gained 10,800 jobs on average in March,” the report states.
The private sector gained 1,100 jobs over the month, led by Leisure & Hospitality with 1,700 jobs and Trade, Transportation & Utilities with 1,400 jobs. Government gained 800 in March.
Of the 11 sectors tracked, six reported gains over the month; five had losses. Year-over-year, seven of the 11 sectors reported gains, including Construction’s addition of 8,200 jobs. Four sectors lost jobs, with Leisure & Hospitality leading with a loss of 4,000.
Construction Employment
Statewide construction employment totals 215,600 jobs. In March 2023, the sector reported 207,400.
The Arizona Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 46,100 jobs in Buildings, which is down 800 from February and up 2,300 from March 2023. Heavy Construction fell 200 for the month with 25,300 but added 1,500 over the year. Specialty Trades gained 700 over the month for a total of 144,200, and the segment gained 4,400 year-over-year.
Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) dropped 200 over the month for a total of 170,200. The March 2023 number was 165,000. Metro Tucson gained 100 construction jobs over the month at 20,900, which is an increase of 800 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 these areas was unchanged. Yuma reported 3,700 mining and construction jobs. Flagstaff had 3,000, and Prescott reported 7,200. Lake Havasu City-Kingman had 4,700. Sierra Vista-Douglas claimed 2,100.