The Abilene job market remained robust in January 2024, continuing the positive trend observed throughout 2023. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.1%, indicating a tight labor market with employers actively seeking qualified candidates.
Highlights
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged from December 2023, hovering near pre-pandemic levels.
- Several industries, including trade, transportation, and utilities, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality, experienced significant job gains.
- Notably, the healthcare and social assistance sector continued its steady expansion, adding a substantial number of new positions.
What Industries and Occupations Grew
- Trade, transportation, and utilities: This sector added 250 jobs in January, driven by growth in retail trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities.
- Professional and business services: This sector saw an increase of 180 jobs, primarily in professional, scientific, and technical services.
- Leisure and hospitality: The leisure and hospitality industry added 120 jobs, reflecting continued recovery in the travel and tourism sector.
- Healthcare and social assistance: This sector, a consistent source of job growth in Abilene, added 100 new positions in January.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank
- No major industries reported significant job losses in January 2024.
Compare to Same Month Last Year
- The Abilene job market has shown significant improvement compared to January 2023. The unemployment rate has decreased by 0.8 percentage points, and several industries have witnessed notable job growth.
Compare to Previous Month
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged from December 2023. However, some sectors, such as trade, transportation, and utilities, experienced a slight uptick in job growth compared to the previous month.
Future Outlook
The Abilene job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, with continued growth projected in sectors like healthcare, trade, and professional services. However, potential economic headwinds, such as rising interest rates and global economic uncertainties, could affect the pace of job growth in the later part of 2024.
10 Growing Occupations in Abilene, TX (Source: [invalid URL removed])
- Registered nurses
- Home health aides and personal care aides
- Customer service representatives
- Retail salespersons
- Surgical technologists
- Licensed practical and vocational nurses
- Truck drivers
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Medical and health services managers
- First-line supervisors of office and administrative workers
10 Companies Hiring Now in Abilene, TX:
- Hendrick Health System
- Walmart
- United Regional Health Care System
- Abilene Independent School District
- City of Abilene
- Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
- Dollar General
- Abilene Christian University
- KinderCare Educational Centers
- The Home Depot