Top 20 Jobs in Arizona

The Top 20 Fast-Growth Jobs in Arizona are all in the fields of Healthcare and Information Technology. Even Top Jobs Number 14 and 15, in Forensics and Veterinary Care respectively, are health related and can offer IT jobs as well.

Many of the Top 20 Jobs in Arizona require short-term on the job training (OJT) after high school or GED attainment, or a 2-year associate's degree. A few of these Top 20 Jobs require a Bachelor's or higher degree; however, a worker can begin in a job that requires OJT and work his or her way up through education and training opportunities on the job.

Related to this trek up the ladder of education and training, many of the Largest 20 Employers in Arizona are medical centers and universities that have medical centers on campus. The Number one Largest Arizona Employer is Phoenix International Raceway, which employees 30,623 workers yearly. Some of these positions are in the IT industry and many are in the hospitality and service industries, as illustrated by the Top 10 Jobs that Offer the Highest Number of Openings in Arizona (see chart below).

An individual living in Arizona or planning a move to Arizona, might begin with a starter job such as those offered at the raceway and transition into a career in IT or Healthcare by taking advantage of local educational opportunities and even online distance learning. The major hospitals and universities often provide tuition waiver or reimbursement for their employees and that is a good option for workers wanting to break into IT or Healthcare work.

Arizona also offers a number of opportunities for business ownership (see link below).

Native American Nations in Arizona often are home to Casinos and Hotels that offer some openings to non-Native peoples, and these Nations need healthcare workers of various skills and education. Two of my friends worked on the Navaho Nation reservation in Arizona for several years, in nursing and social services and were well satisfied with the opportunities and the job satisfaction this offered.

Renewable Energy is becoming a productive business opportunity and avenue for Green-Collar Jobs or Green Jobs in Arizona. Arizona renewable energy takes the form of solar, geothermal (hot springs, etc.), biomass (forests and landfill gases), and wind energy.See The Arizona Solar Center for some new products and services.

Federal grant monies and other efforts support projects and programs among Native Americans in the Southwest, including Arizona.

Hospitality, service, healthcare, IT, and other jobs are available and expanding in these developing economies.

• Ak-Chin Indian Community
• Gaming: Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa. Ak-Chin Farms, Harrah's Casino, and the Ak-Chin Tribal Government are all major employers.
• Yavapai-Apache Nation
• Gaming: Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde.
• Navajo Nation
• Tourism has the major role in the Navajo Tribe's economy, as is Diné College, the first tribally controlled community college in the country.
• Cocopah Indian Reservation
• Gaming: Cocopah Indian Casino in Somerton. Agriculture is another major industry.
• Colorado River Indian Tribes
• Gaming: Blue Water Resort and Casino in Parker.
• White Mountain Apache Tribe
• Gaming: Hon-Dah Resort/Casino in McNary. Timber, lumber hardware, and a ski resort also thrive.
• Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
• Gaming: Fort McDowell Gaming Center in Fountain Hills. Agriculture, a sand and gravel center, and a tribally-owned gas station are significant sources of economic activity.
• Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
• Gaming: Spirit Mountain Hotel-Casino in Mojave Valley, AZ & Avi Casino in Laughlin, NV
• Gila River Indian Community
• Gaming: Vee Quiva and Wild Horses Pass, both in Chandler. The economy includes Gila River farms, sand and gravel operations, a nationally acclaimed industrial park - Lone Butte- plus the two Casino-Hotels.
• Havasupai Indian Reservation
• Tourism is the base economy, along with a cafe, grocery store, museum, cultural center, and an art-silkscreen studio.
• Hopi Tribe
• Agriculture is the base economy, but IT is advancing.
• Hualapai Tribe
• The economy centers on tourism, cattle ranching, timber sales, and arts/crafts.
• Kaibab-Pauite Tribe
• Economy is based on tourism, livestock, and agriculture - especially a 1,300 tree fruit orchard.
• Pascua Yaqui Tribe
• Gaming: Casino of the Sun and Casino del Sol in Tucson. Economy includes a landscape nursery, a manufacturer of adobe blocks, and a bingo hall.
• Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• Gaming: Casino Arizona at Salt River in Scottsdale. Close to the Phoenix metro area, there is a 140-acre retail development called The Pavilions, with a Wal-Mart. Salt River also keeps a 19,000 acre nature preserve. Agriculture and gaming underpin the economy.
• San Carlos Apache Reservation
• Gaming: Apache Gold Casino in San Carlos. Part of the Reservation is in the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the world. Gaming, lumbering, tourism, cattle ranching and recreation comprise the economy, with a retail shopping complex added for additional growth.
• Tohono O'odham Nation
• Gaming: Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson. Economic activities include tourism, an industrial park and the casino.
• Tonto Apache Tribe
• Gaming: Mazatzal Casino in Payson
• Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe
• Gaming: Bucky's Casino and Yavapai Gaming Center in Prescott. Economy includes tourism, gaming and retail activities. The tribe owns a 162-room resort, the two casinos, a business park, and a shopping center.
• Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe
• Gaming: Paradise Casino in Yuma. This is an agricultural community, with tourism and a sand and gravel operation. The Tribe operates five trailer and RV parks, a grocery store and a museum.
• San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
• A Economic endeavors include livestock and subsistence farming.

Link for more information:

Native American Nations in Arizona

A wide variety of businesses opportunities are available in Arizona at this link:

Arizona Business Opportunities and Businesses for Sale

Arizona Energy Businesses

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The Top 20 Largest Employers in Arizona, with Number Employed Yearly.

• 1 PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY 30,623
• 2 UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 12,000
• 3 RAYTHEON MISSLE SYSTEMS 11,000
• 4 PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL-PHX 9,618
• 5 INTEL CORP 8,000
• 6 GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS 7,000
• 7 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY 6,548
• 8 DEL E WEBB MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 6,000
• 9 INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION DIV 5,000
• 10 TAKATA SEAT BELTS INC 5,000
• 11 SCOTTSDALE HEALTHCARE 4,500
• 12 BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE 4,000
• 13 BOEING CO 4,000
• 14 MAYO CLINIC HOSPITAL 4,000
• 15 MAYO CLINIC 4,000
• 16 ST JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL & MED CTR 4,000
• 17 GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CTR 3,800
• 18 NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY 3,600
• 19 DEER VALLEY UNIFIED SCH DIST 3,499
• 20 UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CTR 3,450

College and High School

• Arizona State Sun Devils
• Arizona Wildcats
• Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
• Arizona Interscholastic Association
• High School Internet Network

League Teams

• Tucson Scorch (WPHL)
• Tucson Sidewinders (PCBL)
• Yuma Frogs (WBL)

Professional Athletic Teams

• Arizona Cardinals (NFL) - Tempe
• Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) - Phoenix
• Arizona Rattlers (AFL) - Phoenix
• Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) - Phoenix
• Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) - Phoenix
• Phoenix Suns (NBA) - Phoenix

Arenas and Stadiums

• America West Arena - Phoenix

• American Indian College of the Assemblies of God: Phoenix
• Arizona State University: Tempe
• Arizona State University Polytechnic: Mesa
• Arizona State University West: Phoenix, Arizona
• Coconino Community College: Flagstaff
• Diné College: Tsaile, Window Rock, Chinle, Ganado, Kayenta and Tuba City; also Shiprock and Crownpoint, NM
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Prescott, also Daytona Beach, FL. Business and science degrees related to aviation and aerospace.
• Maricopa Community Colleges, AZ: Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix
• Midwestern University: Glendale, also Downers Grove, IL
• Mohave Community College: Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Colorado City, Fredonia, Littlefield
• Northern Arizona University: Flagstaff
• Northland Pioneer College Distance Learning: Holbrook + satellite campuses, Arizona
• Pima Community College: Tucson, AZ
• Prescott College: Prescott, Arizona
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences: Tempe
• Southwestern College: Phoenix
• The Art Institute of Phoenix: Phoenix
• University of Advancing Technology: Tempe
• University of Arizona: Tucson
• Wayland Baptist University: Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Arizona
• Western Bible College of the Assemblies of God: Phoenix
• Yavapai College: Prescott, Verde Valley, Yavapai

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Arizona Community College Board

• Arizona Western College: Yuma
• Central Arizona College: Coolidge
• Cochise College: Douglas, Sierra Vista, Willcox, Benson, Fort Huachuca
• Eastern Arizona College: Thatcher