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.
County for Attracting and Retaining Talent – Maricopa County
Lightcast Talent Attraction Scorecard, 2023
Fastest Growing County in the U.S. – Maricopa County
U.S. Census Bureau 2021
Largest Production Occupations Job Growth in the Nation
Lightcast, 2024
State for Workforce
CNBC, 2023
State for Job Growth Between 2018-2022
Lightcast Attraction Scorecard, 2023
Skilled Jobs Growth Between 2018-2022
Lightcast Attraction Scorecard, 2023
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.
Population Growth Rate from 2010 to 2020
Higher than the U.S. average of 7.4%
Arizona is Projected to Add 2,810,080 People
Between 2020-2050
Fastest Growing State – Arizona
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022
Largest city in the USA – Phoenix
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
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 (March 27, 2026) – Amid record international investment and trade, Arizona welcomed leaders from around the world for the 21st Annual International State of the State on March 26. Highlighting Arizona’s strong international partnerships and central role in the global economy, Governor Hobbs delivered a keynote address to over 300 attendees, including dignitaries from more than 40 countries. In recent months, Arizona has signed new multi-national agreements, expanded trade offices, and opened new doors for collaboration in research, workforce development, and innovation. Arizona has also emerged as the No. 1 state in the nation for foreign direct investment. To further Arizona’s international momentum, state leaders–led by the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and the Arizona Commerce Authority–hosted an International State of the State Forum, showcasing Arizona’s premier investment environment, international partnerships, and global leadership.
READ MORE about Arizona’s Global Leadership Shines At International State of the State »PHOENIX, AZ (March 26, 2026) – Mack Real Estate Group (MREG) and McCourt Partners hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of construction at Halo Vista, a landmark 2,300-acre master-planned development in North Phoenix. Situated immediately adjacent to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) campus, Halo Vista is designed to be a premier global hub for science, innovation, and community. The $7 billion project, described as a "city within a city" and projected to be a major catalyst for regional growth, has an important role in one of the most significant economic drivers in Arizona’s history. The master plan for the site encompasses nearly 30 million square feet of mixed-use capacity, including industrial, manufacturing, office, retail, residential, and educational uses.
READ MORE about Mack Real Estate Group and McCourt Partners Celebrate Start of Construction at Halo Vista In Phoenix »
