by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 20, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new national analysis reveals that Arizona’s job market is holding steady, ranking 12th in the nation for job openings with a rate that mirrors the U.S. average.
According to a new report from Podium AI, which analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona’s job opening rate sits at 4.4%, matching the national average. That equates to roughly 149,000 available positions across the state—placing Arizona in a balanced middle ground between neighboring New Mexico (5.1%) and Utah (4.2%).
West Virginia tops the national rankings with the highest job opening rate in the country—6%, which is 36% above the national average. Despite its smaller population, the state reports around 46,000 open positions, a sign of a particularly tight labor market. Meanwhile, Washington State ranks lowest with a 3.7% job opening rate, 16% below the national average, though it still reports 142,000 job openings in total.
Arizona’s mid-tier ranking suggests a stable labor environment, neither overheated nor stagnant. Economists often view such alignment with national averages as a sign of balance between worker demand and supply.
The data may also reflect Arizona’s ongoing economic diversification. With growth in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, employers are competing to fill specialized roles while maintaining steady hiring across service sectors. Nationally, the report identifies roughly 7.4 million job openings, translating to a 4.4% rate. But that average conceals deep regional differences.
Eric Rea, CEO and founder of Podium AI, said the results underscore the complexity of comparing job markets across states. “What really stands out is the contrast between smaller states like West Virginia and Maine, which are posting the highest rates, and much larger economies like California and Texas, which sit near the bottom,” Rea said.
“It’s not that California and Texas don’t have jobs—they have hundreds of thousands—but because their workforces are so large, those openings represent a much smaller share overall.”
Rea added that high job opening rates can reflect both strong demand for workers and challenges for employers struggling to find qualified staff.
“States like West Virginia and Maine may be experiencing tight labor markets where businesses are competing harder to attract workers,” he said. “That can create opportunities for job seekers, but it also puts pressure on employers to raise pay and improve benefits.”
For Arizona job seekers, the state’s alignment with the national average means steady opportunities across sectors but not the intense competition—or leverage—seen in smaller, high-demand states. With roughly 149,000 openings on the books, Arizona’s workforce remains in a healthy equilibrium—a sign of resilience in a national economy still recalibrating after pandemic-era labor shifts.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 19, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new study shows that Arizonans are among the hardest-working Americans, with the state ranking third in the nation for longest average working hours.
The research, conducted by global executive search firm Keller, analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2022 through 2024 to determine where U.S. workers are putting in the most time on the job. Across that three-year period, Arizona’s workforce averaged 116.43 annual hours worked, placing it just behind two other top-ranking states.
Breaking it down year by year, Arizonans logged 113.39 hours in 2022, 116.87 hours in 2023, and 119.01 hours in 2024, showing a steady upward trend in the state’s overall workload. A spokesperson for Keller noted that Arizona’s rapid population growth and expanding industries are key drivers behind the long hours.
“Arizona’s booming construction and healthcare industries, along with rapid population growth, have created sustained demand for longer workweeks,” the spokesperson said. “The Grand Canyon State’s workforce is balancing expansion in both service and industrial sectors.”
The findings underscore Arizona’s continued economic momentum, as the state has seen significant growth in sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Keller’s study highlights how workforce trends vary widely across the U.S., with some states showing shorter workweeks even as national labor participation remains steady.
The firm, which specializes in global recruitment and executive placement, said the results reflect broader economic and demographic shifts shaping local job markets.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 18, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
As Maricopa County voters begin casting ballots in the off-year election, Supervisor Debbie Lesko is raising concerns about Proposition 409 — a $898 million bond proposal to fund major upgrades for Valleywise Health, the county’s public hospital system.
“I’m not a fan of Prop. 409, the Valleywise Health ballot measure,” Lesko wrote on X. “This is a new tax in addition to their existing tax. If this passes, we’ll be paying for two Valleywise bonds on our property taxes.”
The measure, now appearing on ballots mailed to voters this week, would allow the county to issue bonds backed by property taxes to improve and expand Valleywise facilities across the region. The hospital system says the funding would be used to construct a new 200-bed behavioral health facility, expand emergency services, and replace aging community health centers.
If approved, Prop. 409 would raise property taxes by 11 cents per $100 of assessed limited property value. Valleywise leaders and public health advocates argue the investment is essential to meet growing mental health needs across the Valley. Supporters say the measure reflects the community’s commitment to improving access to behavioral health services and modernizing the hospital’s aging infrastructure.
The Arizona Public Health Association and Maricopa County Medical Society have also endorsed the proposal, calling it a nonpartisan issue with long-term benefits for residents. However, Lesko’s opposition highlights lingering taxpayer concerns about rising costs. Critics argue that approving the new bond would result in residents paying for two concurrent Valleywise property tax levies — the existing one from an earlier bond and the new one under Prop. 409.
Mail ballots were sent out on October 8, and voters have until October 24 to request one by mail. Ballots should be mailed back by October 28 to ensure timely delivery or dropped off at a designated county drop box. Election Day is November 4, when all ballots will be counted. As debate continues, voters will decide whether the benefits of expanding Maricopa County’s public health system outweigh the costs of another property tax increase.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 15, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen hailed a “victory for Arizona” on Monday after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Valenzuela dismissed all challenges to the Secure the Border Act — a voter-approved initiative known as Proposition 314.
The ruling, issued October 10 and electronically filed October 13, upheld the will of voters who passed the measure in November 2024. In a statement on X , Petersen said the decision upheld “the will of voters who passed Prop 314 to protect our communities from illegal crossings and fentanyl,” calling border security “non-negotiable.”
“President Donald Trump truly delivered the most secure border in U.S. history,” Petersen wrote. “If our nation ever sees a repeat of lawlessness from an administration like we witnessed with Biden-Harris, Arizona will be ready to uphold the rule of law.”
The lawsuit, Living United for Change in Arizona et al. v. State of Arizona, challenged several provisions of Proposition 314, arguing the law violated Arizona’s constitution. Plaintiffs included Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), the Arizona Center for Empowerment, and two individual plaintiffs.
According to court documents, the Secure the Border Act — approved by voters and enacted in November 2024 — created new state laws addressing immigration enforcement and public benefits eligibility.
Judge Valenzuela’s 10-page ruling rejected all three counts brought by the plaintiffs, determining that counts 1 and 2 were not “ripe” for review, as the challenged provisions are not currently enforceable; plaintiffs lacked standing to bring certain claims, particularly regarding separation of powers and legislative delegation arguments; and the SAVE Provision did not violate Arizona’s Revenue Source Rule, because participation in the federal verification program does not impose costs on state or local agencies.
The court concluded that the plaintiffs’ complaint “fails to state a claim on which relief can be granted” and dismissed it with prejudice, making the decision final under Arizona civil procedure rules.
The ruling allows Proposition 314 to stand as enacted by voters, although parts of the law will remain unenforceable until triggered by developments in Texas or another state with similar legislation. The decision represents a significant victory for Arizona lawmakers who championed the measure, including Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro, both of whom intervened in defense of the law.
Supporters say the ruling reinforces Arizona’s right to protect its borders and uphold voter-approved laws. For now, however, the court’s dismissal marks a legal and political win for backers of Proposition 314 — and for state leaders pushing for stricter border enforcement at the state level.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 13, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new study by Cinch Home Services has revealed that Arizona ranks among the top states in the nation for rising property values over the past decade, with home prices in the state increasing by more than 120% since 2015.
According to the analysis—which used Zillow’s Home Value Index to track average property prices between 2015 and 2025—Arizona ranks tenth overall, with an impressive 120.3% increase in average property value over the ten-year period. The state’s most dramatic growth occurred between 2021 and 2022, when home values surged 28.1% in a single year.
Arizona’s rise mirrors a broader national trend in which several western and southern states saw explosive growth during the early 2020s housing boom. The study found that many states experienced their steepest gains in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic when housing demand and home improvement projects spiked.
Leading the nation is Idaho, where property values jumped 156% over the decade—nearly doubling Arizona’s rate of growth. Utah followed with a 128.4% increase, while Washington, Florida, and Nevada rounded out the top five. Other high-growth states include Georgia, Tennessee, Maine, and New Hampshire, each seeing increases above 120%.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Louisiana recorded the smallest increase in home values over the past ten years, at just 23.4%. A spokesperson for Cinch Home Services noted that the results highlight how local markets—not the national average—often drive housing trends.
“This study reveals something especially insightful: the housing market moves in local clusters as opposed to nationally,” the spokesperson said. “The biggest surprise was that between 2021 and 2022 saw the largest value jump across all states. One possible reason is that more people spent time at home in 2020 making improvements, then sold or reassessed their property’s value the following year.”
The spokesperson added that homeowners looking to boost their property’s worth should focus on “first impressions,” recommending improvements such as fresh landscaping, parking availability, or a new front door to enhance curb appeal.
Top 10 States for Property Value Growth (2015–2025)
- Idaho – 156%
- Utah – 128.4%
- Washington – 127.1%
- Florida – 125.3%
- Nevada – 124.4%
- Georgia – 122.5%
- Tennessee – 121.3%
- Maine – 121%
- New Hampshire – 120.7%
- Arizona – 120.3%
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
