While the national job market faced closures and challenges in January 2024, Ann Arbor defied the trend with continued, albeit slower, job growth. This report, based on data from various sources, indicates a stable and promising outlook for the year ahead in the Ann Arbor region.
Highlights:
- Overall job growth slowed compared to December 2023 but remained positive.
- Industries like technology, healthcare, and education continued to see expansion.
- Certain occupations within these industries, such as data analysts, software developers, nurses, and teachers, experienced strong demand.
- While some industries, such as manufacturing and retail, saw slight contraction, the decline was less significant compared to other parts of the country.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Technology: Software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and IT support roles were in high demand.
- Healthcare: Nurses, medical technicians, and home healthcare aides saw significant growth.
- Education: Teachers, especially in STEM fields, and early childhood education professionals were in high demand.
- Other Growing Industries: Professional services, business services, and government sectors also added jobs in January.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Manufacturing: While the decline was smaller compared to other regions, some manufacturing jobs were lost.
- Retail: Similar to the national trend, some retail positions were eliminated.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Year-over-year job growth in Ann Arbor remained positive in January 2024 compared to the previous year.
- The pace of growth was slightly slower compared to December 2023, but the overall trend remained encouraging.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Compared to December 2023, overall job growth in Ann Arbor slowed down in January.
- However, the decline was not significant, and some industries still saw expansion.
Future Outlook:
Despite the national economic slowdown, experts predict continued job growth in Ann Arbor throughout 2024. The region’s strong tech sector, stable healthcare and education industries, and focus on innovation are expected to fuel further job creation.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Data Analyst
- Software Developer
- Registered Nurse
- Medical Technician
- Home Healthcare Aide
- Teacher (STEM fields)
- Early Childhood Education Professional
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- IT Support Specialist
- Business Analyst
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Domino’s Farms
- Pfizer
- University of Michigan
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors
- Barracuda Networks
- Esperion Therapeutics
- McKinley Health
- St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor
- Washtenaw County
Cited Resources:
- Ann Arbor SPARK Job Seeker Newsletter, January 2024