Arizona sees significant jobs increase in April, per employment report

PHOENIX — The state of Arizona saw an increase of 13,100 jobs in the month of April, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority’s monthly report.

That is a significantly higher than the state’s norm for April from 2010-19, which averaged a gain of 9,500 jobs.

The labor force has grown for 22 straight months.

Arizona has a labor force level of 3,556,972 people with a seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2%, according to the report.

Unemployment rates are down by 2.4%, and the 3.2% mark is the state’s lowest since at least 1976, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.

Arizona’s COVID-19 pandemic job recovery is at 114%, higher than the United States’ mark of 95%. Four of Arizona’s seven metro areas have had 100% job recovery with Lake Havasu City–Kingman area in front at 136%.

Leisure & hospitality occupations in the private sector saw a gain of approximately 5,500 jobs, the greatest increase followed by manufacturing and government positions.

The highest industry decrease in jobs in April was in trade, transportation and utilities at a 5,100 jobs decrease.

Maricopa County saw a slight increase in unemployment last month from 2.4% in March to 2.7%, in April although that is lower than the 3.1% rate in February.

Arizona has added approximately 45,000 jobs this year.

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