Phoenix Jobs

Phoenix, by most accounts, is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population in excess of 3.6 million people and a median age of 33 years old.  Maricopa County (i.e. the greater Phoenix area) added 137,000 new residents in 2005.  This steady and constant in-migration creates a dynamic marketplace with a constant influx of new ideas, talent, and opportunities.  Unemployment in 2005 was a steady 4.1% (lower than the national 4.9% average). The Phoenix metro area had a 1.8 million person workforce.  From a business, job and economic standpoint, Phoenix stands to be one of the strongest markets for job growth and employment for years to come.

The area's major industries are 1) high-tech manufacturing, 2) tourism, 3) construction, and 4) government.  Currently the region has worked hard to become a magnet to the bio/genetic, business services, and software industries.  Many national and international firms have relocated or are in the process of relocating to the metro Phoenix area.  These companies include, but not limited to: US Airways, Wells Fargo Consumer Credit, Countrywide Home Loans, Google, USAA, E-Bay, Intel, Motorola, Honeywell, General Dynamics, Banner Health, Raytheon, American Express, Discover Card, Charles Schwab, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, and TGen (Transnational Genomics Research Institute).  Other companies are announcing that they will relocate operations and create new regional offices all of the time while existing firms are ever expanding their local operations.

According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the top employers in Maricopa County for 2005 were:

1. State of Arizona

2. Wal-Mart

3. Maricopa County

4. Banner Health Systems

5. City of Phoenix

6. Honeywell

7. US Postal Services

8. Wells Fargo

9. Arizona State University

10. Basha's Grocery

11. Albertson's/Osco Drug

12. Intel

13. Safeway

14. JP Morgan Chase & Co

15. Luke Air Force Base

16. Mesa Public Schools

17. U.S. Airways

18. Fry's Food and Drug (Kroger)

19. Target

20. Bank of America

21. American Express

22. Pinnacle West Capital Corp (APS and Suncor)

23. Qwest Communications

24. Apollo Group

25. Walgreens