Welcome to the March 2026 State of the Job Market – Greater Phoenix Area
In this article, we’ll provide insights into the Arizona and US job markets, with a special focus on accounting and finance trends. Whether you’re a professional exploring opportunities, a hiring manager, or just curious, this report delivers valuable local and national insights.
What I’m Seeing Locally in Accounting & Finance
- Diverse Company Mix: Arizona remains a stable blend of homegrown businesses, Private Equity-backed firms, and public corporations.
- Layoff Impact: While some reductions have occurred, the market is absorbing talent quickly, and most professionals are finding new roles without significant downtime.
- Steady Demand: Our internal job postings tracker shows that overall demand for Finance and Accounting roles remains consistent with what we saw last year.
Greater Phoenix Unique Job Posting Numbers for March
**TRL’s 30-day count adjusted to eliminate recruiters and duplicate postings
Maricopa County 2026 Job Market Snapshot
- Labor Force Growth: Up 2.6% to 2.8 million. Arizona is adding workers faster than almost any other state as companies and talent continue to migrate to the Valley.
- Unemployment Rate: 3.5% (Down from 3.7% in Jan). This remains significantly tighter than the U.S. national rate of 4.4%.
- Job Growth (YoY): Up 1.9% statewide. Phoenix is the primary engine, accounting for ~73% of all new Arizona jobs.
- Wage Growth: Average hourly pay is $36.99 (~$77k/year), up 4.5% over the year. Phoenix wages are currently rising faster than the national average (3.8%).
Recruiter’s Take: With local unemployment under 4% and wages climbing, the market for Finance and Accounting talent remains highly competitive.
Sources: University of Arizona (AZeconomy.org)
Remote/Hybrid work
- Remote/Hybrid (1-2 days at home) remains the most requested benefit for Accounting and Finance professionals.
- Nationally, about 20% of accounting roles are listed as remote/hybrid. However, the Phoenix market consistently leans more toward in-office presence than the national average.
- We occasionally see roles advertised as “hybrid” that are actually 100% in-office. This approach often leads to high turnover and a negative candidate experience. Transparency upfront is always the better strategy.
By the Numbers
ADP Pay Growth Year over Year:
- Job-stayers – 4.5 % (vs. 4.7% in February 2025)
- Job-changers – 6.3 % (vs.6.8% in February 2025)
Hiring, but struggling to stand out in this competitive market? Watch our latest video on hiring here:
Contact Us
Have questions about your job search or hiring needs? Looking for insights about specific roles or salary benchmarks? Reach out to us at the contact information below.
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About The Resource Link
For almost two decades, The Resource Link has strategically placed Accounting, Finance, & Human Resource talent with some of the best companies in Arizona! We consult with our hiring managers and candidates to dive into the best solutions and outcomes and we provide advice and feedback along the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or just pick up the phone! We would love to hear from you to help you build the best team or find the best career.
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