Grand Canyon state ranks among top 5 in job growth
Arizona non-agricultural employment increased by 2.4 percent year-over-year in June, advancing the state into fifth place in the monthly job creation rankings. Last year at this time, the Grand Canyon State ranked 32nd. North Dakota again led all states in the rate of job growth, as employment rose 6.6 percent compared to June of 2011. Nationally, non-agricultural jobs increased by 1.3 percent in June over the prior year.
Arizona moved into fifth place in the national job growth rankings in June, achieving the highest ranking for the Grand Canyon State since February of 2007. North Dakota again led all states in the rate of year-over-year job growth, as non-agricultural employment rose 6.6 percent compared to June of 2011. North Dakota has outpaced all states in employment gains for 38 consecutive months.
The monthly rankings are compiled by the W. P. Carey School of Business, based on analysis of data released by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The June rankings were computed from data available July 20, 2012. Figures are not seasonally adjusted.
State Job Growth in June 2012 vs. June 2011
| State | Percent change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source: W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, derived from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | |||||||||||
| 1 | North Dakota | 6.6 | |||||||||
| 2 | Utah | 2.6 | |||||||||
| 3 | Louisiana | 2.5 | |||||||||
| 3 | Oklahoma | 2.5 | |||||||||
| 5 | Arizona | 2.4 | |||||||||
| 6 | Texas | 2.2 | |||||||||
| 7 | Idaho | 2.1 | |||||||||
| 8 | Kentucky | 2.0 | |||||||||
| 8 | Ohio | 2.0 | 10 | California | 1.9 | ||||||
| 10 | Washington | 1.9 | |||||||||
| United States | 1.3 | ||||||||||
Utah moved into second place, up from third position in the prior month. Utah has been among the top five states for the past 15 months. Louisiana and Oklahoma tied at third in the June rankings.
In fifth-ranked Arizona, employment increased by 2.4 percent in June, the fastest over-the-year job growth recorded so far this year. For the first half of 2012, employment in Arizona is up by 1.9 percent. For all of 2011, Arizona employment grew by 1.0 percent.
According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all non-agricultural jobs increased nationally by 1.3 percent in June compared to the prior year, while the number of new jobs in the U.S. rose by 1.8 million over-the-year. Nationally, first half job growth was up by 1.4 percent over the first half of last year.
California has now established a foot-hold among the top ten states in job creation, ranking ninth in May and holding on to tenth position in June. Meanwhile, the Golden State added 275,600 jobs, more than any other state. Texas created the second greatest number of new jobs (231,000), followed by New York (137,200).
Seven states – Alabama, New Mexico, Maine, Missouri, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Rhode Island - lost jobs over-the-year in June, occupying positions at the bottom of the rankings.
Houston Leads Major Metro Areas
Among the nation’s largest metropolitan areas (more than one million workers), jobs grew most rapidly in the Houston region (3.3 percent) over-the-year in June, followed by the Phoenix and Seattle metro areas (tied at 2.7 percent).
Large Metro Area Job Growth in June
| Metro Area | Percent change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source: W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, derived from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | |||||||||||
| 1 | Houston | 3.3 | |||||||||
| 2 | Phoenix | 2.7 | |||||||||
| 2 | Seattle | 2.7 | |||||||||
| 4 | San Francisco | 2.6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Boston | 2.2 | |||||||||
| 5 | Cincinnati | 2.2 | |||||||||
| 5 | Denver | 2.2 | |||||||||
| 5 | Detroit | 2.2 | |||||||||
| 9 | Portland | 2.1 | |||||||||
| 9 | Tampa | 2.1 | |||||||||
| United States | 1.3 | ||||||||||
San Francisco ranked in fourth position, with growth of 2.3 percent. Four metro areas (Boston, Cincinnati, Denver and Detroit) tied for fifth place.
Latest news
- Lab lessons: Roadcase.com VP shares how ASU's SMB Lab fueled growth and efficiency
The Arizona-based audio/visual equipment case manufacturer gets expert guidance on improving…
- Best installment loans
Loans should be prioritized by their ability to improve human capital, says an ASU finance…
- Why does online shopping make me feel like absolute crap?
Online shopping can cause anxiety and frustration, says a W. P. Carey marketing expert.