Arizona Set to Unleash 500,000 New Jobs in the Coming Decade

(The Center Square) – The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity has released a report estimating the addition of 486,348 jobs in the state by 2033.

This projection indicates that Arizona’s total employment will reach 3,921,138 jobs, reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.3%. This is a substantial increase compared to the national estimate of only 0.4% growth in the United States during the same period.

Healthcare and construction sectors are set to benefit significantly, with both requiring skilled labor. “Eleven Arizona supersectors are projected to gain jobs, with Health Care and Social Assistance showing an annualized growth of 2.6% and Construction at 2.2%,” stated the report. Health Care and Social Assistance is expected to add 13,753 jobs annually, while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities may see an increase of 8,041 jobs each year.

Maricopa County is anticipated to take the lead in job growth, adding approximately 402,106 positions. Pima County follows with over 32,000 new jobs projected, and both Pinal and Yavapai Counties are expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs each. Notably, Maricopa and rural Graham County are expected to see the highest annual growth rates at 1.4%.

In contrast, Apache County is projected to gain a mere 0.1% annually, translating to about 18 jobs, while La Paz County is slightly better off at 0.8%, equating to 60 new positions each year.

The report emphasizes that these forecasts do not account for major economic or political disruptions, rapid population growth in Arizona, or an escalating need for healthcare services, which is expected to rise alongside the state’s population.