New data from the Arizona Department of Administration show the state's unemployment rate stayed flat at 7.9 percent in March, with more than 16,000 non-farm jobs gained from February.
That compares to a drop in the national jobless rate to 7.6-percent. DOA economist Aruna Murthy notes those gains, coupled with more than 45,000 non-farm jobs gained over-the-year, are good news but the numbers are beginning to worry her.
"This is the second consecutive month of non-farm over the growth rate below 2 percent and third consecutive month of decline," Murthy said.
Murthy says eight of the 11 major sectors gained jobs in March, led by leisure and hospitality, with information and government as the losers.