Arizona Unemployment Rate Up In August

September 19, 2013

Arizona’s unemployment rate last month rose three-tenths of a percent to 8.3 percent. The state added nearly 40,000 jobs in August, which is about Arizona’s 10-year average, but it is less than the two previous years.

Most of the new jobs added last month were in government as schools came back into session. Among the five other sectors adding jobs last month were education and health services, leisure and hospitality. Five industries lost jobs in August including construction and manufacturing.

Between last month and August of last year, eight of the 11 sectors added jobs, with education and health services and leisure and hospitality leading the way. Manufacturing was the biggest year-over-year job loser.