Phoenix Job Market Slowing: Tech and Clean Energy Lead Growth Despite Cooling Hiring Pace
Published: February 20, 2026
Duration: 3:42
Phoenix's job market shows steady but decelerating growth, with the metro area's employment up 0.4% through August 2025, below the national 1.1% pace, according to AZ Big Media. AZ Big Media forecasts Phoenix MSA job growth slowing from 1.6% in 2024 to 0.9% in 2025 before rebounding to 1.6% in 2026, driven by private education and health services amid modest hiring and elevated layoffs. The unemployment rate stands at around 4.1% for Arizona in 2025, projected to rise to 4.4% in 2026. Major industries include advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, aerospace, data centers, and clean energy, with the technology sector adding over 24,000 jobs in fiscal year 2025 at average wages exceeding $95,000, as reported by Arizona Capitol...