Study: Phoenix shows strong job growth

PHOENIX - With the U.S. economy rebounding, it is becoming clear some cities and states are growing faster than others.

According to research from Arizona State University, Phoenix is among the top 10 cities for non-agricultural job growth, comparing January 2011 to January 2012.

Research Professor Lee McPheters of the W.P. Carey School of Business provided rankings and analysis based on the latest job figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

McPheters says the overall growth for the United States between this year and last was 1.5 percent.

Phoenix showed a growth rate of 1.9 percent, McPheters says.

The state came in at #12 for growth, up considerably from last year.

"Here in Arizona, the state ranked No. 12 in job creation," says McPheters. "That's a vast improvement from last year at this time, when it ranked No. 40."

Statistics showed four states continued to lose jobs year-over-year: Alaska, Missouri, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

McPheters says he expects states in the Southwest and Southeast start to push up in the rankings by the middle of the year. These states typically do well during big-growth periods, benefitting from desirable climates and industries like construction and health care.

Top 10 cities and surrounding metro areas(1 million or more workers)for non-agricultural job growth, comparing January 2011 to January 2012:

1.         Houston - up 3.7 percent

2.         Atlanta - up 3.1 percent

3.         Denver - up 2.5 percent

4.         Dallas - up 2.4 percent

5.         Seattle - up 2.2 percent

6.         Cincinnati - up 2.1 percent

7.         Phoenix - up 1.9 percent

8.         Riverside, Calif. - up 1.7 percent

            Tampa, Fla. - up 1.7 percent

10.        Pittsburgh - up 1.6 percent

Top 10 states for non-agricultural job growth, comparing January 2011 to January 2012:

1.         North Dakota - up 6.3 percent

2.         West Virginia - up 2.6 percent

            Utah - up 2.6 percent

4.         Texas - up 2.5 percent

5.         Louisiana - up 2.4 percent

6.         Oklahoma - up 2.2 percent

            Georgia - up 2.2 percent

8.         Colorado - up 2.1 percent

9.         Tennessee - up 2 percent

10.       Kentucky - up 1.9 percent