The state’s unemployment rate held steady in February at 9.6 percent for the fourth month in a row. The economy added 23,400 nonfarm jobs. The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) reports today that the job gains were predominantly seasonal and slightly lower than the historic average.
| Feb. ’11 | Jan. ’11 | Feb. ’10 | |
| United States | 8.9% | 9.0% | 9.7% |
| Arizona | 9.6% | 9.6% | 10.2% |
The private sector generated 12,000 jobs in February and the government sector created 11,400 jobs.
“Overall, nonfarm employment in Arizona in February was somewhat weaker than typical Februarys
in years prior to the recession, but moderately better than the last three years,” according to the ACA employment report.
| Feb. ’11 |
Jan. ’11 |
Feb. ’10 |
|
| Overall | 2,386.6 | 2,363.2 | 2,381.3 |
| Monthly Change | 1.0% | -1.8% | 0.8% |
| Annual Change | 0.2% | 0.0% | -4.4% |
Nine of the state’s 11 major sectors gained jobs, one was flat, and one lost jobs last month.
Gains were reported in: government (11,400); educational health services (4,300); leisure and hospitality (3,500); trade, transportation and utilities (2,800); and professional services (1,700). Financial activities, other services, manufacturing and information combined created fewer than 10 percent of the total jobs in March.
Losses were reported in construction (-2,300); and natural resources and mining was flat.
The unemployment rates dropped in all of the state’s largest metro areas.
| Feb. ’11 |
Jan. ’11 |
Feb. ’10 |
|
| Phoenix Metro | 8.8% | 9.3% | 9.7% |
| Tucson Metro | 8.8% | 9.2% | 9.3% |
| Yuma Metro | 21.5% | 23.1% | 20.0% |
| Flagstaff Metro | 8.9% | 9.4% | 10.2% |
| Prescott Metro | 10.5% | 11.0% | 11.0% |
| LHC-Kingman Metro | 10.9% | 11.5% | 11.7% |
