City Town Info

Yuma Employment

Employment and Industries in the Yuma, Arizona Area

The Yuma economy is powered by the agriculture-forestry-fishing and hunting industry and the public administration, education, healthcare and retail trade sectors. About 24% of the city's workforce have government jobs. The U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground is the primary non-agricultural employer located in Yuma County. The Marine Corps Air Station is one of the busiest air stations of the Marine Corps and is an important part of the economy.

The agricultural industry provides about 90% of the country's winter lettuce crop. The agricultural industry brings in about $1 billion in gross income each year. The over 80,000 winter visitors that make Yuma their winter home significantly bolster the economy. An additional 300,000 visitors come to the city each year which also brings more money and jobs to Yuma.

The Yuma International Airport provides a Foreign Trade Zone which allows business to defer, reduce or eliminate payment of custom duties. Arizona also offers an 80% reduction in the payment of property taxes for businesses situated inside an activated zone.

Notable facts about Yuma: In 2008 the cost of living index was at 86.5 and the national average is 100. The population over 25 years of age that has a bachelor's degree or higher is 16.2%. The average earnings in Yuma in early 2009 was $34,000.

Shown below are some of the primary employers in Yuma:

  • U.S. Army Proving Ground
  • U.S. Border Control
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • U.S. Marine Corps Air Station
  • Tanner Companies
  • Yuma Regional Medical Center
  • Yuma Elementary School District 1
  • City of Yuma
  • Yuma Union High School District No 70
  • Crane Elementary School District No 13
  • Yuma Broadcasting Co
  • Walmart
  • Yuma County
  • Edward Montiel
  • JLG Harvesting Inc
  • Western Newspapers
  • Yuma/La Paz Counties Community College
  • Arizona Western College
  • Associated Citrus
  • Barkley Farms
  • Dole Corporation
  • Target
  • Union Pacific Transportation

Yuma has numerous manufacturing companies. The largest employers in the sector are:

  • AMI - Alside Division
  • Carrier UTC
  • Gowen Milling Manufacturing
  • Johnson Controls
  • Shaw Industries/Queen Carpets
  • Weyerhaeuser
  • Allied West Paper
  • ALSCO
  • Alside
  • Northwestern Industries
  • Superlite Block

The largest employment sectors, in descending order, are provided below:

  • Government
  • Trade Transportation and Utilities
  • Education and Health Services
  • Leisure and Hospitality
  • Mining and Construction
  • Professional and Business Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Financial Activities

Organizations providing assistance to Yuma companies:

The Yuma Sun provides up-to-date information regarding the business activities in the Yuma area.

Most Popular Jobs in Yuma, Arizona Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses93062,110$38,450 - 85,10024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education86039,290$28,340 - 52,58014%95%
3Detectives and criminal investigators76051,940$38,280 - 63,99017%54%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education64041,580$32,560 - 56,4906%96%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products34054,630$24,410 - 84,6208%51%
6Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation30051,400$30,910 - 69,9605%58%
7Accountants and auditors30055,600$27,900 - 90,91018%79%
8Child, family, and school social workers14038,240$22,330 - 56,99019%77%
9Lawyers12078,190$51,510 - 113,05011%99%
10Management analysts12070,400$36,510 - 96,92022%78%
11Educational, vocational, and school counselors12047,830$35,450 - 62,67013%73%
12Sales managers11070,000$41,210 - 112,37010%69%
13Medical and health services managers11066,450$42,160 - 95,79016%57%
14Managers, all other10079,150$52,760 - 105,5707%55%
15Health educators10035,450$17,750 - 62,30026%58%
16Education administrators, elementary and secondary school9078,780$59,630 - 102,5808%78%
17Engineering managers9070,230$51,080 - 96,4007%84%
18Pharmacists90113,480$71,680 - 141,50022%97%
19Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products8066,030$35,010 - 106,44012%51%
20Financial managers8077,420$45,830 - 122,40013%60%
21Civil engineers8073,840$52,920 - 98,92018%87%
22Social and community service managers7054,340$31,390 - 72,85025%72%
23Engineers, all other7093,100$69,930 - 127,9406%82%
24Instructional coordinators6045,900$35,180 - 59,20023%79%
25Special education teachers, secondary school6048,360$35,170 - 63,4809%87%
26Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school6038,150$26,400 - 50,87020%87%
27Medical and public health social workers6046,040$26,090 - 66,40024%77%
28Mechanical engineers6069,950$46,870 - 96,1004%78%
29Social and human service assistants5030,830$23,280 - 43,95034%58%
30Librarians5042,310$32,490 - 53,6204%85%
31Environmental scientists and specialists, including health5059,890$40,410 - 78,77025%93%
32Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors5045,720$34,570 - 61,38034%73%
33Computer programmers5056,180$27,650 - 91,9800%73%
34Network and computer systems administrators5056,350$33,690 - 81,17027%50%
35Training and development specialists4036,340$26,130 - 49,69018%56%
36Dentists, general40 $ - 9%100%
37Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors4041,400$26,790 - 59,01014%54%
38Surveyors3047,860$32,190 - 68,30024%82%
39Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other3053,120$34,940 - 74,36017%56%
40Legislators3025,760$14,660 - 40,9301%65%
41Graphic designers3035,480$22,620 - 54,62010%55%
42Physician assistants3081,140$48,360 - 128,95027%67%
43Chief executives30116,040$82,060 - 154,9802%65%
44Urban and regional planners3052,520$36,610 - 69,70015%92%
45Computer and information systems managers3088,200$58,980 - 123,25016%73%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse7,58017,680$14,950 - 20,830-2%4%
2Cashiers1,92019,830$14,910 - 28,130-2%10%
3Retail salespersons1,65025,080$15,060 - 47,28012%25%
4Office clerks, general1,45024,230$15,550 - 33,54013%19%
5Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,15021,120$15,690 - 29,06015%4%
6Maintenance and repair workers, general1,02032,200$18,120 - 50,02010%6%
7Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,01018,300$14,820 - 24,26018%5%
8Waiters and waitresses94018,450$14,750 - 28,38011%14%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand93021,490$16,510 - 29,9602%5%
10Telemarketers82021,090$16,750 - 28,410-9%14%
11General and operations managers77079,140$37,890 - 134,9302%48%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks74028,980$15,240 - 43,26013%16%
13Packers and packagers, hand74018,200$14,780 - 24,670-11%3%
14Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive72025,220$15,690 - 36,3901%18%
15First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers70037,860$23,060 - 57,9904%25%
16Stock clerks and order fillers68022,290$15,340 - 32,390-7%8%
17Teacher assistants66020,780$15,460 - 25,88010%18%
18Receptionists and information clerks61025,390$15,550 - 38,97017%13%
19Landscaping and groundskeeping workers60020,320$15,120 - 28,60018%6%
20Correctional officers and jailers58035,810$32,370 - 40,65017%11%
21Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop55016,390$14,570 - 19,67010%8%
22Construction laborers52026,880$17,530 - 40,51011%5%
23Executive secretaries and administrative assistants52032,770$23,450 - 44,57015%18%
24Customer service representatives51028,220$18,110 - 38,43025%22%
25First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers51039,110$20,280 - 61,0506%29%
26Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants47024,850$19,700 - 31,08018%7%
27Cooks, restaurant46019,500$15,390 - 24,95012%5%
28Maids and housekeeping cleaners45017,840$14,870 - 22,00013%5%
29Carpenters44030,450$18,770 - 44,09010%6%
30Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks44025,730$15,170 - 40,4004%6%
31Automotive service technicians and mechanics43036,610$17,340 - 60,75014%4%
32Home health aides40020,520$16,230 - 26,93049%7%
33Industrial truck and tractor operators39027,350$18,620 - 32,780-1%2%
34Helpers--production workers34022,550$16,340 - 38,3000%4%
35Security guards34021,200$15,100 - 30,79017%13%
36Truck drivers, light or delivery services33028,040$15,490 - 50,9508%4%
37Agricultural equipment operators31022,050$17,140 - 31,710-4%4%
38Police and sheriff's patrol officers30044,360$33,800 - 61,06011%33%
39Electricians30041,370$25,020 - 60,3807%7%
40Bartenders29019,510$14,700 - 34,46011%17%
41Tellers27023,500$18,600 - 29,72014%16%
42Business operations specialists, all other27057,570$25,210 - 86,35021%49%
43Food preparation workers26018,620$14,890 - 24,73015%7%
44Medical assistants26029,840$21,870 - 39,88035%10%
45First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers25030,490$19,040 - 46,16011%14%
46Electrical and electronic engineering technicians24051,820$30,200 - 77,3204%18%
47Counter and rental clerks22023,440$15,110 - 38,77023%16%
48First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives21067,170$45,280 - 81,5109%33%
49First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers21054,910$33,820 - 80,3809%10%
50First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers19060,290$33,670 - 83,6307%13%
51Cement masons and concrete finishers19029,130$22,640 - 35,80011%2%
52Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders18019,480$16,340 - 23,550-4%5%
53Court, municipal, and license clerks18032,600$24,130 - 45,1809%24%
54Fire fighters18035,780$15,670 - 50,56012%18%
55Billing and posting clerks and machine operators18027,950$18,220 - 43,4904%15%
56Plasterers and stucco masons17026,670$18,440 - 38,3408%0%
57First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers17044,860$21,800 - 62,4300%0%
58Dishwashers17016,950$14,810 - 19,94010%3%
59Preschool teachers, except special education17018,560$14,690 - 26,24026%43%
60First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers17043,070$20,840 - 73,010-4%15%
61Brickmasons and blockmasons17029,640$17,810 - 46,47010%3%
62Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16017,840$14,710 - 26,06012%6%
63Bus drivers, school16024,350$18,320 - 31,2709%4%
64Industrial machinery mechanics16036,700$19,140 - 54,6709%5%
65Parts salespersons15027,500$14,930 - 45,830-1%6%
66Postal service mail carriers150 1%11%
67Cooks, institution and cafeteria14025,290$15,030 - 41,58011%5%
68Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks14017,850$15,100 - 21,24017%14%
69Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop14016,270$14,770 - 19,08010%17%
70Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers14034,950$24,170 - 48,6409%3%
71Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses14040,980$25,540 - 59,19014%7%
72Payroll and timekeeping clerks13029,310$17,510 - 39,8403%18%
73Interviewers, except eligibility and loan12026,750$21,980 - 32,44010%24%
74Sheet metal workers12028,440$17,680 - 41,0907%4%
75Painters, construction and maintenance12028,190$21,140 - 37,83012%6%
76Bill and account collectors12031,480$20,820 - 50,91023%13%
77Cleaners of vehicles and equipment12017,570$14,630 - 20,83014%3%
78Legal secretaries11032,400$23,110 - 44,78012%18%
79First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers11033,150$22,260 - 49,74013%11%
80Glaziers11021,960$16,660 - 26,21012%0%
81Refuse and recyclable material collectors11023,860$16,990 - 32,9507%3%
82Pharmacy technicians11026,800$18,250 - 37,98032%16%
83Bakers10020,080$14,940 - 29,64010%8%
84Aircraft mechanics and service technicians10049,000$42,240 - 60,68011%11%
85Cost estimators10048,950$26,690 - 77,58019%32%
86Recreation workers10025,310$15,120 - 39,95013%47%
87Administrative services managers10062,950$33,980 - 105,91012%40%
88Computer support specialists9041,250$28,990 - 58,11013%43%
89Dental assistants9030,740$21,710 - 40,47029%9%
90Butchers and meat cutters9026,100$15,040 - 42,2602%2%
91Stonemasons9027,270$17,640 - 37,83010%3%
92File clerks9021,060$15,540 - 27,430-40%20%
93First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators9041,700$24,380 - 59,81010%17%
94Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers9033,990$24,990 - 42,6805%2%
95Radiologic technologists and technicians8052,150$32,650 - 70,15015%25%
96Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators8031,790$26,970 - 38,6608%4%
97Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance8027,430$19,880 - 34,1302%11%
98Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products8050,690$28,350 - 82,3000%42%
99Farm equipment mechanics8030,430$19,940 - 44,0101%3%
100First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers8045,140$27,400 - 74,3204%38%
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Jobs More Common Near Yuma Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Agricultural equipment operators22,05031077.1
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse17,6807,58076.8
First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers44,86017034.4
Detectives and criminal investigators51,94076022.2
Plasterers and stucco masons26,67017012.7
Glaziers21,9601107.4
Correctional officers and jailers35,8105807.3
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives67,1702106.9
Telemarketers21,0908206.3
Court, municipal, and license clerks32,6001805
Health educators35,4501004.2
Brickmasons and blockmasons29,6401704.2
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians51,8202403.5
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation51,4003002.9
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop16,3905502.6
Refuse and recyclable material collectors23,8601102.5
Packers and packagers, hand18,2007402.5
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians49,0001002.4
Cement masons and concrete finishers29,1301902.4
Maintenance and repair workers, general32,2001,0202
Helpers--production workers22,5503401.9
Sheet metal workers28,4401201.9
Bakers20,0801001.8
Fire fighters35,7801801.8
Parts salespersons27,5001501.7
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education41,5806401.6
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17,8501401.6
Automotive service technicians and mechanics36,6104301.6
Industrial truck and tractor operators27,3503901.6
Payroll and timekeeping clerks29,3101301.6
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers20,3206001.6
Industrial machinery mechanics36,7001601.6
Elementary school teachers, except special education39,2908601.6
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers33,1501101.5
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers37,8607001.5
Bartenders19,5102901.4
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks25,7304401.4
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders19,4801801.4
Teacher assistants20,7806601.4
Cashiers19,8301,9201.4
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan26,7501201.4
Child, family, and school social workers38,2401401.3
Receptionists and information clerks25,3906101.3
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers34,9501401.3
Medical assistants29,8402601.3
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners21,1201,1501.3
Construction laborers26,8805201.3
Maids and housekeeping cleaners17,8404501.3
Cooks, restaurant19,5004601.3
Educational, vocational, and school counselors47,8301201.2

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Yuma, Arizona Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Cooks, institution and cafeteria25,2901.07140
Cashiers19,8301.071,920
Medical assistants29,8401.06260
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food18,3001.061,010
Receptionists and information clerks25,3901.06610
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers60,2901.06190
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses40,9801.04140
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,8501.03470
Retail salespersons25,0801.031,650
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,8401.03160
Bill and account collectors31,4801.02120
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation51,4001.02300
First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers44,8601.02170
Automotive service technicians and mechanics36,6101.01430
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers30,4901.01250
Registered nurses62,1101.01930
Counter and rental clerks23,4401.01220
Bartenders19,5101.01290
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians51,8201240
Tellers23,5000.99270
Waiters and waitresses18,4500.99940
Dishwashers16,9500.98170
Court, municipal, and license clerks32,6000.98180
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers37,8600.98700
Business operations specialists, all other57,5700.98270
Stock clerks and order fillers22,2900.98680
Food preparation workers18,6200.97260
Truck drivers, light or delivery services28,0400.97330
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products54,6300.97340
Home health aides20,5200.97400
Management analysts70,4000.96120
Helpers--production workers22,5500.95340
Pharmacy technicians26,8000.95110
Office clerks, general24,2300.951,450
Customer service representatives28,2200.95510
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers33,1500.95110
Correctional officers and jailers35,8100.95580
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,9100.94210
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan26,7500.94120
Child, family, and school social workers38,2400.94140
Maintenance and repair workers, general32,2000.941,020
Teacher assistants20,7800.93660
Maids and housekeeping cleaners17,8400.93450
Bus drivers, school24,3500.93160
Accountants and auditors55,6000.93300
Educational, vocational, and school counselors47,8300.93120
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives67,1700.92210
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners21,1200.921,150
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators27,9500.92180
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop16,3900.92550

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