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.
TUCSON, AZ (March 19, 2026) – Governor Katie Hobbs joined Pima Community College, the Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Tucson, Pima County, and local industry leaders today to celebrate the grand opening of Pima Community College’s new Flexible Industry Training (FIT) Lab, a Future48 Workforce Accelerator, located in Tucson, Arizona. The FIT Lab is an innovative, advanced manufacturing training facility designed to meet the rapidly evolving workforce needs of Southern Arizona employers. The event brought together Pima Community College leadership including Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Nasse; Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority; Tucson Mayor Regina Romero; Pima County, and industry leaders including American Battery Factory.
READ MORE about Governor Hobbs Joins Pima Community College And ACA To Celebrate Opening Of Advanced Manufacturing Future48 Workforce Accelerator In Tucson »PHOENIX, AZ (March 18, 2026) — With just 19 days left until the inaugural Arizona Tech Week, excitement is buzzing across the state. More than 250 partner‑hosted events are gearing up — from hands-on workshops and founder meetups to industry panels, tech demos, open houses, startup pitches, and much more. Explore the full Arizona Tech Week calendar to start planning your week of innovation, inspiration, and community. Arizona Tech Week on April 6-12, 2026 will bring together startup founders, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers and tech enthusiasts for a week of lively keynotes, panels, social networking engagements, pitch competitions, and exclusive Arizona experiences at hundreds of events in all corners of the state.
READ MORE about 19 Reasons To Get Excited About Arizona Tech Week »
