As Arizona continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the nation, the state’s population provides a strong pipeline of skilled talent with a drive for innovation. The state's job opportunities and premier quality of life attracts workers every year, with a momentum that’s only growing.
Largest Production Occupations Job Growth
Lightcast, 2025
LARGEST BLUE-COLLAR JOB GROWTH
Lightcast, 2025
FASTEST LABOR FORCE GROWTH - ARIZONA, 2015-2025
Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity & U.S. Department of Labor, 2025
BEST JOB CREATION RATE
SimplifyLLC, 2025
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona’s workforce of 3 million has added more than 487,000 people since 2015. With more than 70 percent of the state's population born outside of Arizona, its clear people are flocking to Arizona for boundless opportunity and an unmatched quality of life.
NET MIGRATION - MARICOPA COUNTY
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2025
TOTAL POPULATION - ARIZONA
LARGEST CITY IN THE U.S. - PHOENIX
Largest Growing State – Arizona
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2025
Arizona's approach to workforce development is collaboration. We bring together academia, industry and community leaders and more to design customized solutions to meet private-sector needs.
The Arizona Commerce Authority has invested $100 million to strengthen Arizona's semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on the rapid development, commercialization and manufacturing of next-generation U.S. semiconductor technologies. The ACA is collaborating with industry partners to identify and address research infrastructure and workforce needs. Investments from the ACA include:
Investment to Arizona State University's Applied Materials/ASU Materials to Fab (MTF) Laboratory.
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Investment to Northern Arizona University's Metrology program, research and training.
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Investment to launch first U.S. Apprenticeship Program for Manufacturing Facility Technicians.
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Arizona is home to a world-renowned university system and one of the largest community college systems in the country. The trio of state universities and the community and private colleges are committed to preparing students for promising futures in leading industries.
Universities and Community Colleges
Post-Secondary Students Enrolled
Schools Offering Career & Technical Education
ENGINEERING STUDENTS ENROLLED AT PUBLIC ARIZONA UNIVERSITIES
Arizona’s diverse and innovative education system prepares students for tomorrow’s workforce. The system includes magnet schools for the arts, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other specialties, as well as high-quality public and private schools. Moreover, the state’s public and charter schools have near-universal open enrollment so parents may send their children to a school of their choice.
Arizona has more charter schools than any other state with one in five students in Arizona attending a charter school. BASIS Charter Schools, founded in Arizona over 25 years ago, has many locations across the state and due to its success has expanded to states across the nation. These schools are routinely listed on “best high schools” lists with BASIS Tucson North recently named the best high school and best charter high school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and has 11 of the top 100 high schools in the nation. In Arizona, BASIS students boast an average 95 percent AP exam pass rate and 100 percent of graduates are accepted to a four-year college or university.
PHOENIX, AZ (June 12, 2026) – With rapid momentum across Arizona’s dynamic aerospace and defense ecosystem, Airbus, a global aerospace and defense leader, and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), hosted Airbus Supplier Day on June 12, 2026. Governor Katie Hobbs joined Robin Hayes, Chairman and CEO of Airbus in North America; Sharon Green, CEO of Unical; Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority; Representative Greg Stanton; Representative David Schweikert; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and over 60 A&D suppliers for Airbus Supplier Day, showcasing the strength and depth of the state’s aerospace and defense supply chain. Since 2020, Arizona has attracted more than 62 aerospace and defense industry expansions, representing over $3.3 billion in investment and more than 18,400 new jobs.
READ MORE about Airbus and ACA Host Supplier Day Showcasing Arizona’s Aerospace and Defense Leadership »GRAHAM COUNTY, AZ (June 5, 2026) – The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), alongside Valley TeleCom Group and Graham County leadership celebrated a milestone for connecting rural communities in Arizona with the launch of the county’s new fiber-internet network at an event held on June 1, 2026. Supported by a $4.8 million investment through the ACA’s Arizona Broadband Development Grant program, the 65-mile project will deliver high‑speed internet to 440 homes and businesses across Bryce, Eden, and Fort Thomas communities located in Graham County. Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2026.
READ MORE about ACA And Valley TeleCom Group Celebrate Broadband Launch In Graham County »
