The Arizona Department of Administration predicts the state will continue to see 2 percent job growth in 2015, but that won’t restore the state to prerecession job levels.
By the end of 2014, Arizona had regained about six in 10 of the jobs lost in 2009. That’s according to state economist Dr. Aruna Murthy.
Murthy said much of 2015’s job growth is expected in the Phoenix metro area. And barring a federal defense spending boost, much of the employment gained around the state will be limited to the service industry and health care sectors.
"If people move in from other states primarily to retire then they may have services needed in areas like retail and other areas to service these people," said Murthy.
She added that state government employment is expected to decline.