AZ Unemployment Rates Rise in March; Still Lower than National Average

(Phoenix, AZ) – Arizona’s economy continued to show weakness as the state’s unemployment rate rose from 7.4% to 7.8% in March.  Arizona’s unemployment figures remain lower than the national average, 8.5% (8.1% in February).

Arizona’s nonfarm payrolls continued to decline with the loss of 7,600 jobs in March. Since the beginning of the national recession (December 2007), Arizona’s economy has lost 230,400 jobs, with 183,100 of the losses occurring since March 2008.

All but three of the 11 major industry groups posted losses in the month. Those gains were seen in trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and other services.

Trade, transportation and utilities had an increase of 3,400 jobs in March. Gains were realized in the areas of retail trade and general merchandise.  

Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 1,600 for the month, but the increase is well below the normal rise in March.

Other services added 700 jobs for the month.

Of the 11 major industries, professional and business services lost the largest number of jobs in March (-5,900). Over-the-year, this industry has now lost 46,600 jobs, or 11.8 percent.

Construction had its 19th consecutive monthly loss in March (-3,300).  Not all sectors lost jobs, for example, heavy construction – which includes road and bridge and other infrastructure construction – added 200 jobs.

Government lost 1,700 jobs (-0.4% over-the-month). State government employment was down one-thousand, State education decreased by 500, and local education was down by 600.  Federal government showed a gain of 500 jobs.

In summary, Job losses in Arizona’s economy continued in the month of March. A total of 7,600 jobs were lost, with three of 11 major industries reporting gains, though growth rates are below 10-year monthly averages. With government now showing over-the-year losses, educational and health services is the only major industry with over-the-year gains, and those gains only equate to 0.5%. The increase in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate kept pace with the national rate, rising four-tenths to 7.8 percent.

Submitted on behalf of Arizona Dept of Commerce
For detailed information, graphs and charts on Arizona data, please visit http://www.workforce.az.gov/.

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