Arizona’s Office of Employment and Population Statistics released Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate on Thursday. Unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point from 5.4% in March to 5.5% in April. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0% in April. A year ago, the Arizona seasonally adjusted rate was 6.0% and the U.S. rate was 5.4%.
Over the Month
Arizona gained 7,500 Nonfarm jobs (0.3%) in April. This was less than the post-recessionary (’10-’15) average gain of 8,700 jobs. The Private Sector gained 5,900 jobs (0.3%), which is less than the post-recessionary (’10-’15) average gain of 7,200 jobs in April. Five of the eleven sectors posted gains, one sector remained unchanged, and five sectors posted losses. The gains were recorded in Professional and Business Services (6,800 jobs); Government (1,600 jobs), Information (900 jobs); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (800 jobs); and Leisure and Hospitality (500 jobs). The losses were recorded in Manufacturing (-1,700 jobs); Other Services (-700 jobs); Financial Activities (-300 jobs); Education and Health Services (-300 jobs); and Construction (-100 jobs). Natural Resources and Mining (0 jobs) recorded neither significant job gains nor losses.
Over the Year
Arizona Nonfarm employment grew by 3.1% (80,900 jobs) over the year in April. The Private Sector accounted for all of the April gains, adding 81,100 jobs (3.7%). Government employment declined by 200 jobs (-0.0%, due to rounding) in April. Nine of the eleven sectors reported job gains, and two sectors reported losses. The sectors with the largest gains included Professional and Business Services (19,900 jobs); Education and Health Services (16,500 jobs); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (13,400 jobs). Additional employment gains were reported in Financial Activities (12,400 jobs); Construction (7,600 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (6,800 jobs); Information (3,800 jobs); Other Services (900 jobs); and Manufacturing (800 jobs). Job losses were reported in Government (-200 jobs) and Natural Resources and Mining (-1,000 jobs).
See full report here: https://laborstats.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Emp-Report.pdf