Arizona Unemployment Rate Remains Steady at 5.1%

Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate released Thursday remained the same at 5.1% in June. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.3% in May to 4.4% in June. A year ago, the Arizona seasonally adjusted rate was 5.3% and the U.S. rate was 4.9%.

Over the Month
Arizona lost 42,800 Nonfarm jobs (-1.6%) in June. This was less than the post-recessionary (’10-’16) average loss of 53,100 jobs. The Private Sector lost 5,700 jobs (-0.2%). Historically (’10-’16), the Private Sector averages employment losses of -9,600 jobs in June. Five of the eleven sectors posted gains. Gains were recorded in Professional and Business Services (2,200 jobs); Manufacturing (2,000 jobs); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (1,000 jobs); Construction (400 jobs); and Natural Resources and Mining (100 jobs). Over the month losses were seen in Other Services (-200 jobs); Financial Activities (-500 jobs); Information (-1,100 jobs); Education and Health Services (-4,300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality       (-5,300 jobs); and Government (-37,100 jobs).

Over the Year
Arizona Nonfarm employment grew by 2.4% (62,700 jobs) over the year in June. The Private Sector accounted for 57,000 jobs (2.5%). Government employment increased by 5,700 jobs in June. Eight of the eleven sectors reported job gains and three had losses. The sectors with the largest gains included Leisure and Hospitality (18,200 jobs); Education and Health Services (13,100 jobs); Professional and Business Services (9,500 jobs); and Financial Activities (8,700 jobs). Gains were also recorded for Government (5,700 jobs); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (5,200 jobs); Manufacturing (3,900 jobs); and Construction (3,100 jobs). Job losses were reported in Natural Resources and Mining (-300 jobs); Information (1,400); and Other Services (-3,000 jobs).

Please visit laborstats.az.gov to view the entire report.