Arizona's unemployment rate dipped to 9.1 percent in May, matching the national average.
The Arizona Department of Commerce announced the numbers Thursday and said it's the fourth consecutive month of job gains.
Arizona's jobless rate was at 9.3 percent in April and 9.5 percent in March.
The state added 2,200 non-farm jobs in May with hiring especially strong at food and drinking places; administrative-support and waste industries and durable-goods manufacturing.
Government sectors turned in the highest losses, with a decrease of about 2,800 jobs over the month, mostly due to the end-of-school year decreases at public schools, colleges and universities.
Valley accounted for 2,100 of the new jobs in May, while 1,800 new private-sector positions were added in Tucson.
Phoenix’s unemployment rate is down to 8 percent from 8.1 percent in April, according OEPS.
With schools and colleges out of session, government jobs in Arizona decreased by 2,800 positions.
Similar to the national trend, the jobs picture in Arizona is mixed with some employers still reticent to make new hires, some workers taking part-time jobs when they’d prefer full-time work and some industries still losing positions.
Administrative and support staff positions added 4,900 jobs statewide last month while manufacturing and restaurants gained 1,400 and 1,600 jobs, respectively.
But those gains were offset by 2,700 job reductions in the professional services field, 200 lost hospital jobs and 300 reductions in retail.
In the end, the state netted 2,200 new jobs in May after the decrease in government jobs offsets the overall private sector gains.
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