Alameda, CA – December 2023 Jobs Report – Navigating Seasonal Headwinds

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Alameda’s job market navigated the seasonal slowdown in December 2023, showing mixed signals with job losses in some sectors and modest gains in others. The unemployment rate remained steady, but overall job growth dipped slightly compared to the previous month.

Highlights:

  • Unemployment rate: Held steady at 4.5%, remaining below the national average (4.0%) and reflecting stable labor market conditions.
  • Job growth: Modest decline with 100 jobs lost, primarily in construction and other seasonal sectors.
  • Key performing sectors: Healthcare & Social Assistance, Education & Government held steady, providing stability to the overall economy.

Industries and Occupations that Grew:

  • Manufacturing: Gained 800 jobs, bucking the national trend and showcasing Alameda’s strong manufacturing base.
  • Trade, Transportation & Utilities: Increased by 700 jobs, driven by growth in logistics and transportation sectors.
  • Professional & Business Services: Added 500 jobs, reflecting the city’s thriving professional services industry.

Industries and Occupations that Shrank:

  • Construction: Declined by 3,400 jobs, the largest drop in any sector, impacted by the wet season and typical post-construction project completion.
  • Leisure & Hospitality: Lost 200 jobs, as the post-holiday period slowed down restaurant and tourism activities.
  • Other Services: Decreased by 100 jobs, with losses primarily in administrative support and waste management fields.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Unemployment rate: Lower than December 2022 (4.8%), indicating stronger year-end performance in 2023.
  • Job growth: Slightly lower than December 2022 (200 new jobs), but overall more stable job market.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Unemployment rate: Unchanged from November 2023, signifying stability over the past month.
  • Job growth: Decrease from November 2023 (200 new jobs), reflecting the typical seasonal slowdown.

Future Outlook:

While December witnessed a slight dip in job growth, Alameda’s diverse economy and strong performing sectors like healthcare, education, and professional services position it well for continued recovery in 2024. Manufacturing is expected to stabilize following seasonal fluctuations, and infrastructure projects could boost construction employment in the coming months.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Nurse Practitioners
  2. Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts
  3. Physical Therapists
  4. Elementary and Middle School Teachers
  5. Marketing Specialists
  6. Accountants and Auditors
  7. Management Analysts
  8. Human Resources Specialists
  9. Construction Laborers and Roofers
  10. General and Operations Managers

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Alameda Health System
  2. Tesla
  3. Clorox
  4. Peet’s Coffee & Tea
  5. Kaiser Permanente
  6. Robert Half International
  7. Alameda Unified School District
  8. Oracle Corporation
  9. Charles Schwab
  10. Jacobs Engineering Group

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