The future of work in Arizona continues to look bright. In May 2022, the United States Census Bureau reported Arizona had five of the 15 fastest-growing cities or towns in the U.S., while Phoenix landed second among cities in terms of numeric growth. More people lead to more job opportunities, particularly in industries including IT and cybersecurity, healthcare and construction and architecture.
If you’re considering applying for jobs in Arizona or attending school to develop your education, here’s what to know about the Arizona job landscape in 2023 and the future of work in Arizona.
Arizona Has One of the Strongest Job Markets in the Country
In 2022, CareerCloud analyzed federal data in five categories to determine the states with the most career potential. These categories were:
- Business tax climate
- Diversity
- Education levels
- Job openings
- Population growth
Arizona landed in the top five states, due to its fast population growth, large and well-educated workforce, and pro-business regulatory environment. The study concluded long-term economic prospects in Arizona are positive.
Reinforcing these findings, in January 2023, the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity reported:
- Nonfarm employment increased by 93,800 jobs over the year, a 3.1% year-over-year increase.
- The total labor force level in Arizona was 3,630,920, a 2.8% year-over-year increase.
- Between 2020 and 2030, there’s a 2.2% annualized projected employment growth in Arizona.
- In 2023, there were 199,833 total business establishments in Arizona, a 10.2% year-over-year increase.
You can browse Pipeline AZ’s Arizona job bank to find thousands of open positions in diverse industries. Whatever type of work you’re interested in doing, there continue to be increased opportunities as more people move to Arizona and call the state home.
Which Career Industries Stand Out in Arizona?
Like throughout much of the country, healthcare and IT/cybersecurity jobs are in high demand in Arizona. Due to the influx of people moving to the state, construction and architecture also provide notable job opportunities.
IT & Cybersecurity Careers in Arizona
Arizona has become a technology hub, with AZ Big Media reporting it landed in the top 15 tech hubs throughout North America in 2022, according to CRBE’s annual Tech-30 report. There are more than 125,600 people working in tech roles in Phoenix alone, which amounts to 10.6% of all office-using positions in the Valley.
Throughout the state, there are open positions for business intelligence analysts, computer network architects, database administrators and other roles.
Healthcare Jobs in Arizona
Like most of the country, Arizona is experiencing a higher demand for healthcare professionals as populations age. Roles like medical and health services managers, pharmacists and allergists and immunologists are expected to increase in demand through 2024.
Read 5 Reasons to Consider a Career in Healthcare to see whether the industry’s a fit for you.
Construction & Architecture Jobs in Arizona
As more individuals and families move to Arizona, the need for construction and architecture specialists for housing, office and business space has stayed strong. In 2022, AZ Big Media reported 73 companies relocated to Arizona from January 2021 to June 2022, with 26% of those companies attached to international businesses.
Construction firm Cumming Group projects construction spending in Phoenix alone will increase around 20% in 2023 and 2024, with notable increases in infrastructure, manufacturing and healthcare projects. To meet the demand, there’s a need for talent in careers such as electrician, pipe fitter and steamfitter, plumber and sheet metal worker.
Other Career Opportunities in Arizona
When you visit Pipeline AZ’s career hub, you can also find open opportunities in industries including human services, financial services, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, distribution, medtech, startups, agriculture, engineering, mathematics, arts, communications, business management, energy and utilities, government and public administration, hospitality and tourism, law, public safety, retail, sales and marketing.
Click on each area to see how many open positions there currently are, and how many are projected in the next few years. This data may help guide people toward education paths and/or to pursue work-based experiences like internships and externships.
Career Tips for a Changing Job Landscape
There are lots of Arizona job opportunities in a wide variety of industries. To position yourself for career success in Arizona, use the following tips.
- Take a career assessment. Complete a career assessment to see which careers match your interests.
- Obtain education. Understand what entry-level education positions in your desired industry require. Look into options like traditional four-year college, trade schools, online education and certifications.
- Get your foot in the door. If you’re new to an industry, look at work-based experiences like internships, externships and apprenticeships to gain on-the-job experience.
- Network. Attend in-person networking events and create an online networking presence to connect with others in your industry.
- Keep learning. Read industry news and continue to hone skills that are in-demand for your industry.
Finally, register with Pipeline AZ. You’ll receive job alerts based on your interests, so you’ll be the first to know when new great opportunities arise. Create a free profile for education and career resources, Arizona job opportunities and other career-related support.
