(The Center Square) – Arizona continues to see job growth while unemployment remains slightly higher than the national average.
The state saw 8,100 nonfarm jobs increase from November to December, and year-over-year saw 64,800 nonfarm jobs added, according to a non-seasonally adjusted figure.
The report from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity states that the unemployment rate in the state remains at 4.3%, the same as in November, which is above the federal rate of 3.7%.
“More Arizonans are employed today than ever on record,” the Office of Economic Opportunity tweeted. The vast majority of those jobs are in the private sector, with 43,00 added, compared with 21,800 in the public sector.
The Arizona Commerce Authority also said that roughly 97,000 people joined the state’s workforce in 2023.
The top three gaining sectors in December were “financial activities” with 3,800 jobs added, “Trade, Transportation & Utilities” with 3,300 jobs added, and “Private Education & Health Services” with 2,500 jobs added.
The government sector lost 2,100 jobs and construction lost 600 jobs.
Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office touted the numbers as she is now a little over a year into the role.
“All-time high employment, real wages rising, 64,800 jobs created in the last year,” Christian Slater, the governor’s spokesman, said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter.
Many companies continue to move projects to Arizona, especially in the technology sector.
