The state’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percent to 9.4 percent in November, as the economy added 12,800 jobs. The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) reports today that the private sector generated 9,300 jobs, while government added 3,500. Traditional holiday hiring boosted the November job gains.
| Nov. ’10 | Oct. ’10 | Nov. ’09 | |
| United States | 9.8% | 9.6% | 10% |
| Arizona | 9.4% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
This is the fourth consecutive month of over-the-year gains in total nonfarm employment. The state’s 1 percent year-over-year gain in November was higher than the nation’s gain of 0.6 percent. Arizona’s 1 percent gain totals about 24,900 jobs added since the previous November.
“Overall, Arizona’s employment situation continues to improve,” according to the ACA employment report.
| Nov. ’10 |
Oct. ’10 |
Nov. ’09 |
|
| Overall | 2,448 | 2,435.2 | 2,423.1 |
| Monthly Change | 0.5% | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Annual Change | 1% | 1.1% | -6.5% |
Over the month, six out of the state’s 11 major sectors saw job gains. The sector that had the most gains for the month was trade, transportation and utilities, with 9,900, mostly due to the 8,700 jobs gained in the retail sector.
Gains were reported in: professional and business services (2,300); educational and health services (1,700); government (3,500); manufacturing (600); and information (400).
Losses were reported in: construction (-3,000); financial activities (-900); leisure and hospitality (-900); other services (-700); and natural resources and mining (-100).
Construction lost the most jobs of any sector in November, but it still is recording net job gains for 2010.
The unemployment rates climbed in almost all of the state’s largest metro areas.
| Nov. ’10 |
Oct. ’10 |
Nov. ’09 |
|
| Phoenix Metro | 8.9% | 8.4% | 8.7% |
| Tucson Metro | 8.8% | 8.3% | 8.5% |
| Yuma Metro | 26.8% | 25.7% | 22.4% |
| Flagstaff Metro | 8.1% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| Prescott Metro | 10.2% | 9.7% | 9.8% |
| LHC-Kingman Metro | 10.9% | 10.9% | 9.8% |
