Anyone looking for Arizona nursing jobs may have had better luck during May, as the state's education and healthcare industry was among the few that added workers.

During May, Arizona's unemployment rate increased from 9.5 percent to 9.6 percent, which was the same rate the state experienced during March. Despite the recent increase, however, Arizona's rate was slightly lower than the national average at the time of 9.7 percent.

Arizona had a total non-farm employment of 2,417,000 workers during May, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 2,410,400 workers during April and only a .7 percent decrease from last year.

Five industries saw a monthly increase in employment during May. The government industry added the most workers, growing by 10,100 jobs over the month, for a current total of 430,100 employees.

Other industries that added workers between April and May include: education and health services by 1,600 jobs; other services by 1,100 jobs; construction by 600 jobs; and mining and logging by 200 jobs.

Four industries experienced a yearly increase in employment during May. Surprisingly, the mining and logging industry grew the most, increasing by 3.7 percent over the year, for a current total of 11,200 jobs.

The education and health services industry increased by 2.9 percent to 336,900 jobs, while the government industry grew by 1.2 percent, and the leisure and hospitality industry rose by .4 percent to 258,400 workers.

The construction industry took the biggest hit when compared to last year, losing 11.2 percent of is workforce between May 2009 and May 2010, for a current total of 116,200 employees.

Other industries that saw an over-the-year decrease in employment include:

• Information by 5.6 percent
• Manufacturing by 3.9 percent
• Financial activities by 3.2 percent
• Professional and business services by .9 percent
• Other services by .3 percent
• Trade, transportation and utilities by .1 percent

Labels: Arizona nursing jobs