Six months running: Arizona ranks among top ten growth states

Arizona nonagricultural employment increased over-the-year by 2.3 percent in August, a growth rate sufficient to keep the Grand Canyon State ranked among the top 10 for the sixth consecutive month. Arizona placed sixth among all states in the rate of job creation, down two notches from fourth position in July. Nationally, non-agricultural jobs increased by 1.4 percent in August over the prior year. Arizona is one of 14 states to post faster job growth than the nation.

Arizona non-agricultural employment increased over-the-year by 2.3 percent in August, a growth rate sufficient to keep the Grand Canyon State ranked among the top ten for the sixth consecutive month. Arizona placed sixth among all states in the rate of job creation, down two notches from fourth position in July. Nationally, non-agricultural jobs increased by 1.4 percent in August over the prior year. Arizona is one of 14 states to post faster job growth than the nation.

North Dakota again led all states in the percentage growth of jobs over-the-year, with an increase of 6.6 percent. Employment growth in North Dakota has exceeded 6.0 percent on year-to-year basis every month this year, after increasing by 4.8 percent in 2011.

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 August rankings were computed from data available September 21, 2012. Figures are not seasonally adjusted.

State Job Growth in August 2012 vs. August 2011

Arizona added 55,200 new jobs over-the-year in August, down from 58,100 in July. Six states added more jobs than Arizona, led by California with 305,500 and Texas with 261,000.

Arizona ranked third in the nation in the rate of growth of new jobs in retailing, real estate, and administrative support. The administrative support category includes employment services, primarily temporary workers. Arizona employment services jobs grew by 13.9 percent over-the-year, the fastest growth of any category, as the economy added 11,200 of these positions.

Nationally, employment services was the third fastest growing category (at 8.2 percent), topped only by oil and gas (12.3 percent) and automobile manufacturing jobs (up 8.5 percent).

Construction employment in Arizona was up by 7.0 percent over the prior year, with 8,000 new jobs. At the national level, construction employment was flat, as 20 states added construction jobs and 30 states lost construction jobs. Arizona construction ranked fifth among all states in the rate of growth and fourth in the number of new construction jobs.

Houston Leads Major Metro Areas

Among the nation's largest metropolitan areas (more than one million workers), jobs grew most rapidly in the Houston metro area (3.4 percent) over-the-year in August, followed by San Francisco (3.2 percent) and Seattle (2.9 percent) metro areas.

Large Metro Area Job Growth in August

Phoenix and Denver tied for fourth position. With 47,200 new jobs over-the-year, the Phoenix metro area accounted for 85 percent of the jobs created in Arizona during the past 12 months.