Arizona Gained 41,900 Nonfarm Jobs Over the Month
Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.1% in July to 5.0% in August. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.3% in July to 4.4% in August. A year ago, the Arizona seasonally adjusted rate was 5.1% and the U.S. rate was 4.9%
Over the Month
Arizona gained 41,900 Nonfarm jobs (1.6%) in August. This was less than the post-recessionary (’10-’16) average gain of 50,400 jobs. The Private Sector gained 9,700 jobs (0.4%). Historically (’10-’16), the Private Sector averages employment gains of 16,200 jobs in August. Eight of the eleven sectors posted gains. Gains were recorded in Government (32,200 jobs); Education and Health Services (5,700 jobs); Professional and Business Services (3,800 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (900 jobs); Manufacturing (700 jobs); Financial Activities (500 jobs); Natural Resources & Mining (100 jobs); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (100 jobs). Over the month losses were seen in Other Services (-600 jobs); Construction (-600 jobs); and Information (-900 jobs).
Over the Year
Arizona Nonfarm employment grew by 1.3% (35,900 jobs) over the year in August (see Figure 3). The Private Sector accounted for 33,100 jobs (1.4%). Government employment increased by 2,800 jobs in August. Nine of the eleven sectors reported job gains and two had losses. The sectors with the largest gains included Leisure and Hospitality (13,300 jobs); Education and Health Services (8,800 jobs); Financial Activities (5,200 jobs); Manufacturing (4,500 jobs). Gains were also recorded for Professional and Business Services (3,600 jobs); Government (2,800 jobs); and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (1,800 jobs); Construction (1,000 jobs); and Natural Resources and Mining (100 jobs). Job losses were reported in Other Services (-2,300 jobs); and Information (-2,900).
Please visit laborstats.az.gov to view the entire report.