Labor Force

Greater Phoenix has a labor force of more than 1.4 million people, with a healthy mix of managers, professionals and production workers. Projected employment by occupation shows continued strengthening of the area's professional and technical work force, with service employment increasing as well.

Total Employment by Occupation Projections Greater Phoenix* 1994 and 2005**

Occupation	1994 Employment	2005 Employment	Percent of Annual Growth
Managerial & Administrative	93,728	156,128	6.1%
Professional & Technical	249,432	422,665	6.3%
Sales & Related Occupations	163,042	278,661	6.4%
Clerical & Administrative	231,317	335,006	4.1%
Service Occupations	202,144	336,210	6.0%
Agricultural & Related Occupations	19,599	29,943	4.4%
Precision Production, Craft and Repair	146,900	272,835	7.7%
Operators, Fabricators and Laborers	153,694	242,694	5.3%
Total	1,259,866	2,074,142	5.9%

Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security, November 1996
*Reflects Maricopa County only.
**Employment projections by Arizona Department of Economic Security

Employment Forecast Phoenix-Mesa MSA* vs. Arizona (in thousands)

	1996		1999
	Phoenix-Mesa MSA	Arizona	Phoenix-Mesa MSA	Arizona
Total Nonfarm Payroll	1,312.5	1,982.2	1,524.5	2,157.4
Manufacturing	154.4	199.9	173.2	220.7
Mining	6.5	14.0	5.6	12.9
Construction	90.2	126.2	102.4	142.4
TCPU	66.3	91.8	77.4	103.3
Trade	325.6	464.4	375.5	526.7
FIRE	96.4	117.1	119.1	141.0
Services	403.1	560.9	489.4	670.7
Government	170.1	317.9	181.9	339.7

Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Research Administration
* Phoenix-Mesa MSA includes Maricopa and Pinal counties

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.

Low unionization rates
Arizona is a right-to-work state. The unionization rate for private sector employees in greater Phoenix is below 5 percent, and among the lowest in the nation. The area maintains a productive work environment through open and positive labor-management relations.

Comparative Unionization Rates

Metro Area	Manufacturing	All Private Sector	Total
Dallas	6.80%	3.70%	6.40%
Greater Phoenix	6.00%	4.90%	7.00%
Denver	8.50%	7.50%	10.30%
Los Angeles	8.10%	9.20%	14.80%
San Jose	8.60%	12.70%	17.90%
Chicago	20.30%	15.10%	18.90%
Seattle	25.00%	14.50%	20.80%
Las Vegas	5.20%	18.30%	21.30%

Source: Greater Phoenix Fact Book,  Bureau of National Affairs, 1998.

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City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department 200 West Washington Street, 20th Floor Phoenix, Arizona 85003	Call: 602.262.5040 Fax: 602.495.5097 TTY: 602.534.3476
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