by Cameron Arcand
The unemployment rate in Arizona continues to stay below the national average.
The seasonally adjusted rate of 3.3% in June was 0.1% lower than May 2024, even though the U.S. rate was 4.1% compared to 4%. This is a new record low based on how employment numbers have been measured since 1976, as May’s numbers were touted as such.
The top-gaining sectors were financial activities, which gained 2,400 jobs, construction with 400 jobs, and manufacturing with 200 jobs.
The biggest losses month over month were government, professional, and business services, and private educational services. The government saw a significant drop of 34,000 jobs from May to June, likely to do with the end of the school year. The non-seasonally adjusted rate was 3.9%.
However, unemployment rates varied widely by country. Maricopa and Pinal counties had a rate of 3.5% unadjusted, whereas Yuma County faces a 12.7% unadjusted unemployment rate.
Overall, year-over-year was major for the healthcare and trade, transportation, and utilities sectors, with 26,800 jobs and 13,000 jobs, respectively.
Jobs numbers have been a frequent rallying point for state government officials, as they will regularly encourage companies to come set up shop in Arizona as opposed to California or Texas. The Center Square reported that Maricopa County was recently ranked the highest in the nation for economic development by Site Selection magazine, as they looked into projects, jobs, and investments into counties nationwide.
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Cameron Arcand is a staff reporter for The Center Square covering Arizona. A contributor since 2022, Arcand previously worked for Salem Media Group and The Western Journal.
Photo “Office Meeting” by Christina Morillo.
