The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Arizona remained unchanged in November at 6.8%. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also was unchanged at 5.8% in November. A year ago, the Arizona seasonally adjusted rate was 7.8% and the US was 7.0%.
According to the Arizona Department of Administration, the state added 24,400 Nonfarm jobs (0.9%) in November, higher than the post-recession average gains of 22,600 jobs and the ten-year average gain of 19,200 jobs. The gains were primarily in the Private Sector (23,300 jobs). The Private Sector gain was also higher than the post-recession average of 21,100 jobs and the ten-year average gain of 17,700 jobs.
Gains in Government of 1,100 jobs were lower than the post-recession and ten-year average gain of 1,500 jobs.
Nine of the eleven major sectors added jobs and two shed jobs as shown in the graph.
Trade, Transportation and Utilities reported gains of 12,900 jobs, the highest of any sector. Professional and Business Services added 4,700 jobs. Other Services gained 2,000 jobs. This gain was the highest November gain on record (’90-‘14) and five times the post-recession (‘09-‘13) average gain of 400 jobs. Education and Health Services added 1,500 jobs, below the post-recession average of 2,200 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality gained 900 jobs. Information added 300 jobs and Natural Resources and Mining gained 100 jobs.
Manufacturing (-200 jobs) and Construction (-900 jobs) shed jobs.
In the Tucson MSA (Pima County) there was a .04% increase from October to November in the unemployment rate (6.3%) and a -0.1% decrease (6.4%) year-over-year, with 3.2% more total employment (433,200) than October and an increase of 14.6% (418,500) year-over-year.
Compared to Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale MSA that had a 0.2% increase in the unemployment rate (5.9%) from October and a -0.3% decrease (6.2%) year-over-year, with 26.7% (2,009,400) more total employment from October to November and 93.2% increase year-over-year (1,916,200), a 92.4% increase.
To see the regional tables click here: Regional Unemployment NOV 2014