Arizona Unemployment Rises; Private Sector Posts Job Growth

Arizona experienced a rise in unemployment over the last month. The overall unemployment for the state was 4.7 percent for October, compared with 4.6 percent in September.

The seasonally adjusted labor force rose by around 16,300 individuals between the two months, while the state’s economy added 23,300 nonfarm jobs, according to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

“From October 2017 to October 2018,” reads the report from the Office of Economic Opportunity. “Arizona’s seasonally adjusted labor force level increased by 60,585 individuals. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7% in October 2018.”


While most sectors added jobs, the government sector lost around 1,200. The typical October gain is 3,300 for government jobs during October.

Meanwhile the private sector added 24,500 nonfarm jobs, compared with an average gain of 22,300. The professional and business sector tacked on 7,600 jobs, while other sectors (educations and health, leisure and hospitality, and construction) added around 3,750.

“Employment in Arizona increased 3.1% year over year. From October 2017 to October 2018,” according to the Office of Economic Opportunity. “Arizona recorded a net gain of 87,800 nonfarm jobs, with the majority (84,900) in the private sector. Government recorded gains of 2,900 jobs from October 2017 to October 2018.”