(The Center Square) – New figures show Arizona’s unemployment rate has hit an all-time low.
Based on seasonally adjusted figures, May’s rate of 3.4% was the lowest and down from 3.6% in April, according to a news release.
This is the opposite trend to the overall U.S. unemployment rate, which rose from 3.9% to 4% between April and May.
As for the “record low” claim, the report said the process used to determine the employment numbers had been in place since 1976.
Over the two-month period, health care and social assistance added 3,700 jobs, manufacturing added 1,600 jobs, “other services” added 1,400 jobs and the financial sector added 1,200 jobs.
The government said it lost 5,400 jobs between April and May, including 4,600 in “private educational services” and “leisure and hospitality.” Professional and business services also saw an additional 3,000 jobs lost.
“Arizona residents have more opportunity than ever before, and our state’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a statement.
“These record numbers make it clear that Arizona’s economy is thriving, and I’m committed to creating good-paying jobs for Arizonans, building and creating businesses in our state, and ensuring all Arizonans have the opportunity to thrive.”
The state’s Department of Economic Opportunity reported that non-seasonally adjusted non-farm employment increased 2% from last May to 63,900.
The top three sectors were health care and social services, trade, transport and public works, and government, which added 7,800 jobs.
The Hobbs administration touts the creation of 111,300 jobs in the state, 93,400 of which will be in the private sector.
Meanwhile, Citizens for Free Enterprise, a group backed by former Gov. Doug Ducey, released a report criticizing the Hobbs administration for targeting public sector job growth, saying it would “come at taxpayer expense.”
