Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 16,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ market rose by 3,607 jobs in January and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 6.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ unemployment rate is 31 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 250 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 2.5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.5%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 424,000; -16,800
  • Business Services: 359,700; -5,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 344,100; -2,200
  • Government: 240,600; -2,100
  • Financial Services: 203,500; -2,400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 193,100; -1,000
  • Construction, Mining: 134,600; -1,700
  • Manufacturing: 132,800; -1,100
  • Other Jobs: 65,300; -1,700
  • IT & Development: 37,800; +1,100
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.