Phoenix Area Economic Summary
Updated June 28, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Unemployment rates for the Phoenix area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Phoenix area, 4th quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,067; Area = $987)
Unemployment rates
4.5
United States
4.1
4.4
Phoenix area
4.3
4.3
Maricopa Co.
4.3
5.2
Pinal Co.
0.0
5.2
2.0
4.0
May-16
6.0
May-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Phoenix area employment
(numbers in thousands)
Percent
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
May-14
Phoenix area
May-15
United States
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
May-17
Total nonfarm
Mining and logging
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
•
May
2017
2,010.2
3.2
108.7
122.2
386.4
36.9
181.6
340.0
300.6
230.5
60.6
239.5
Change from May
2016 to May 2017
Number
Percent
47.0
0.0
4.8
2.0
3.7
0.2
8.5
5.8
10.1
13.6
-4.4
2.7
2.4
0.0
4.6
1.7
1.0
0.5
4.9
1.7
3.5
6.3
-6.8
1.1
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, second half 2016
2.0
1.8
6.0
1.5
0.8
0.0
4.0
2.0
-0.2
-2.0
0.0
Phoenix area
U.S. city average
-4.0
-6.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
Percent
8.0
4.0
All Items
-3.1
-2.0
-4.8
Food
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Hotels (exc casino hotels) and motels
-4.0
Energy
-6.0
May-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Phoenix area average annual expenditures 2014-15
May-15
Healthcare
$4,474
8.1%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$6,418
11.6%
Food
$7,167
13.0%
Transportation
$8,981
16.3%
Total:
$55,118
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$22.85
$23.86
Computer hardware engineers
50.72
57.07
Registered nurses
36.03
34.70
Accountants and auditors
33.00
36.89
Loan officers
32.72
36.67
Crane and tower operators
20.60
26.58
Semiconductor processors
16.52
18.22
Construction laborers
16.19
18.22
Customer service representatives
16.15
16.91
Security guards
14.22
14.29
Retail salespersons
12.30
13.07
Home health aides
11.54
11.35
9.78
9.89
Cooks, fast food
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, March 2017
Phoenix area
Total, all occupations
Housing
$18,328
33.3%
May-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$9,750
17.7%
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
Mountain (1)
$29.36
21.22
8.13
1.83
0.95
0.77
2.14
1.04
2.35
(1) Mountain includes AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, and WY.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$33.11
23.06
10.06
2.30
1.18
1.17
2.65
1.34
2.60
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
3.5
12-month percent changes in ECI
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Phoenix area
Mar-15
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Western Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/west • 415-625-2270
United States
Mar-16
Mar-17