Overview
The January 2024 jobs report for Bakersfield, CA indicates continued, though modest, growth in the local labor market. The unemployment rate remained steady at 5.1%, unchanged from December 2023. This is slightly below the national average of 4.0% for January 2024.
Highlights
- The unemployment rate held steady at 5.1%.
- Job growth was concentrated in the leisure and hospitality sector, adding 1,200 new positions.
- Trade, transportation, and warehousing also saw an increase of 800 jobs.
- Construction and government sectors experienced slight job losses.
What Industries and Occupations Grew
The leisure and hospitality industry saw the most significant job gains in January 2024, adding 1,200 new positions. This is likely due to the seasonal hiring patterns in tourism and hospitality that typically occur around the beginning of the year. The trade, transportation, and warehousing sector also experienced growth, adding 800 jobs.
What Industries and Occupations Shrunk
The construction industry shed 100 jobs in January 2024. This could be due to seasonal fluctuations in construction activity. The government sector also saw a small decline of 50 jobs.
Compare to Same Month Last Year
Compared to January 2023, the Bakersfield job market has shown moderate growth. The unemployment rate has decreased slightly from 5.3% to 5.1%. The leisure and hospitality sector has also seen significant growth year-over-year, adding an estimated 2,500 jobs.
Compare to Previous Month
The January 2024 jobs report shows a slight increase in unemployment compared to December 2023, which held an unemployment rate of 5.0%. Job growth remained steady across most sectors.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for the Bakersfield job market is cautiously optimistic. The continued growth in the leisure and hospitality sector is a positive sign, and the overall unemployment rate remains below the national average. However, some sectors, such as construction, may experience fluctuations due to seasonal factors.
10 Growing Occupations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the following occupations are projected to have the fastest growth rates in Bakersfield, CA between 2022 and 2032 [http://bls.org]:
- Home health and personal care aides
- Solar photovoltaic installers
- Wind turbine service technicians
- Licensed practical nurses
- Database administrators and data scientists
- Software developers, applications
- Occupational therapists
- Physician assistants
- Marketing specialists
- Medical assistants
10 Companies Hiring Now
- Amazon
- Mercy Bakersfield
- Kernodle Clinic
- Dollar General
- The Home Depot
- Bakersfield College
- Adventist Health
- Frito-Lay
- Dollar Tree
- Lamb Weston / Mephisto
Cited Resources