Prescott MSA May 2026 Summary

Today

Delaney O’Kray-Murphy, EBRC research economist

Prescott posted strong wage gains even as year-over-year job losses mounted in early 2026

Exhibit 1 presents current Prescott MSA economic indicators.

Recent LAUS data are not yet available because the BLS is preparing its routine annual revision. On May 19, 2026, BLS will revise local-area estimates for 2016–2025; the latest figures are temporarily unavailable until that update is released.

Non-seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings in the Prescott MSA posted three months of solid gains in the first quarter of 2026. In January, private earnings rose 8.2% to 28.95, followed by year-over-year growths of 9.2% in February to $29.65 and 6.1% in March to $29.13. March’s hourly rate of $29.13 is roughly equivalent to an annual salary of $60,590 for a full-time worker.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment in the Prescott MSA showed mixed results in the first three months of 2026. Employment rose from December to January by 100 to 72,200, fell 0.3% in February to 72,000, and remained at 72,000 in March. Arizona’s statewide figures showed more success, with employment rising 6,800 in January to 3,262,300 and 10,100 in February to 3,272,400. Employment then declined in March by 2,600 to 3,269,800.

Non-seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment in the Prescott MSA fell in each month of the first quarter of 2026. Employment fell by 0.8% year-over-year in January to 71,600, 1.5% in February to 72,000, and 1.9% in March to 72,100.

Among industries in the Prescott MSA, State and Local Government posted the strongest year-over-year growth in March, increasing 1.0% to 10,000. The only other growth in March was in Private Education and Health Services, which rose 0.7% to 13,500.

On the other hand, Professional and Business Services experienced the most significant year-over-year decline in March, falling 8.5% to 6,500, followed by Federal Government, which decreased 5.3% to 1,800. Other notable decreases occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (-4.8%), Manufacturing (-2.9%), Mining, Logging, and Construction (-1.4%), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1.4%). No changes occurred year-over-year in Information, Financial Activities, and Other Services.

Non-seasonally adjusted retail sales excluding food or gasoline in the Prescott MSA rose by 0.7% year-over-year in February to $232.5 million. January showed stronger year-over-year gains, rising 2.6% to $240.1 million.

Non-seasonally adjusted housing permits in the Prescott MSA have fluctuated significantly in the past months. Total permits dropped 67.5% to just 89 in November, with single-family representing all the permits authorized. In December, permits showed some gains, with total permits rising 17.3% to 115 and single-family permits rising 15.3% to 113. January housing permits were similar to November, in that total permits fell 27.1% to 78, and single-family permits comprised all of them.