The state’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percent to 9.5 percent in October, as the economy added 27,400 jobs. This is the largest October job gain since 2004. The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) reports today that the private sector generated 93 percent of those jobs, or 25,600.  Year-over-year, total non-farm employment was up 1.1 percent last month.


Oct. 2010 Sept. 2010 Oct. 2009
United States 9.6% 9.6% 10.1%
Arizona 9.5% 9.7% 9.3%

This is the third consecutive month of over-the-year gains in total nonfarm employment, and the rate of gains has been increasing each month. According to the ACA, Arizona now ranks 18th in the nation in over-the-year employment growth. The state was ranked 32nd in September. Significantly,  Arizona’s construction industry continued to show signs of improvement, and in October posted its first over-the-year increase since December 2006.

“Overall, Arizona’s employment situation is beginning to show indications of welcome improvements,” according to the ACA employment report.


Oct. 2010 Sept. 2010 Oct. 2009
Overall 2,432.4 2,405.0 2,408.0
Monthly  Change 1.1% 0.7% 0.7%
Annual  Change 1.0% 0.5% -7.2%

Over the month, 10 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 7,100.

Gains were reported in: professional and business services (1,700); financial activities (600); educational and health services (6,400); natural resources and mining (100); construction (5,100); leisure and hospitality (3,300); government (1,800); other services (1,400); and manufacturing (200).

The only sector to lose jobs was information (-300).

The unemployment rates dropped in almost all of the state’s largest metro areas.


Oct. 2010 Sept. 2010 Oct.2009
Phoenix Metro 8.5% 8.7% 8.8%
Tucson Metro 8.3% 8.6% 8.6%
Yuma Metro 25.8% 23.9% 21.9%
Flagstaff Metro 7.9% 8.1% 8.4%
Prescott Metro 9.7% 10% 9.9%
LHC-Kingman Metro 10.9% 10.8% 10.8%