Phoenix area gains 7,200 jobs over past year

The Phoenix area added 7,200 jobs during the past year, good for No. 26 in the nation among 372 metro areas. A total of 266 metropolitan areas gained employment between January 2010 and January 2011, according to new figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ninety-three metros suffered declines, and 13 were unchanged. Two Texas markets -- Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston -- led the way with respective increases of 63,600 and 56,600 jobs. Nineteen U.S. metros gained at least 10,000 jobs since January 2010. Rounding out the top five behind Dallas and Houston were Chicago (up 42,600 jobs), Washington (up 40,800) and New York City (up 34,600). Sacramento was saddled with the biggest decline, losing 14,500 jobs in the past year. Atlanta and Las Vegas came next, with respective declines of 12,300 and 9,500.

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