Report shows uptick in Phoenix-area hires by big companies this year
Jul 11, 2017, 10:52 AM
(Public Domain Photo)
(Public Domain Photo)
PHOENIX — Big companies hired more people in the Phoenix area during the first half of 2017 than the same time period last year, a report released Monday said.
Commercial real estate firm CRBE said it tracked 49 Phoenix hiring announcements during the first six months of this year.
“That totaled 11,440 jobs,” CRBE spokeswoman Jessica Glick said. “Compared to the same period last year — the first half of 2016 — we measured 40 company announcements that measured 6,700 jobs.”
The largest hiring announcement in the past six months was made by Intel, which planned to bring on 3,000 employees at its Chandler facility.
Freedom Financial said it would hire another 1,000 people for its Tempe offices, while International Cruise and Excursions in Scottsdale said it wanted to bring on 875 and Endurance International Group planned to employ an additional 600 people.
Glick said a majority of the incoming jobs were for skilled workers who earned above-average wages.
“A majority of them are really financial services, software and technology and advanced manufacturing where they have those higher than the median (wage) jobs,” she said. “We’re talking about $40,000, $50,000, $60,000-plus.”
Glick said the hiring numbers were positive news for the Valley’s economy.
“Word is getting out right now that Phoenix is the place to establish your business,” she said.
KTAR News’ Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.
