Arizona Crowned Job Growth Champion for April, Leading the Nation in Monthly Gains

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona emerged as the leading state in job growth for April, as detailed in a report by the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSIAZ). This follows a troubling three-month stretch marked by negative annual growth.

In April, Arizona added 14,200 non-farm jobs, reflecting a monthly increase of 0.44%, which translates to a year-over-year rise of 0.76%. This impressive performance positioned Arizona ahead of all other states, while the overall U.S. job growth registered at just 0.11%. Notably, eleven states reported job losses during this period. Despite these positive job figures, CSIAZ highlighted a concerning trend: inflation-adjusted wages in Arizona have declined by 4.2% since 2020, with total employment still falling short by over 212,000 jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels.

On social media, CSIAZ emphasized that over the past year, Arizona has added 24,600 jobs, reflecting a modest 0.76% increase.

April marks a turning point after three months of decline, showcasing an uptick in year-over-year job growth, with 24,600 jobs added in the last year.

The report outlined varied performance across sectors, revealing notable disparities. The Education and Health Services sector led the way, adding 22,600 jobs and growing by 4.2%. Conversely, the Professional and Business Services sector saw a decline, losing 4,400 jobs, a drop of 0.9%. While the Education and Health Services sector has rebounded from the pandemic’s impact, reaching its highest employment level, the Professional and Business Services sector has been in decline since peaking in January 2024.

Wage trends also painted a mixed picture. In April, Arizona experienced a slight decrease of $0.13 in non-seasonally adjusted wages, falling short of the national increase of $0.06 for the same month. However, Arizona’s year-over-year wage growth of $1.49, or 4.5%, does surpass the national average. Still, this growth has not kept pace with rising consumer prices, leaving residents feeling the impact at grocery stores and gas stations. CSIAZ noted that real wages, after factoring in CPI inflation, showed a modest increase of 4.2% compared to a nominal increase of 4.4% in April.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. For updates on his work, follow him on X or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.