Baytown, TX – January 2024 Jobs Report – Steady Growth Amidst National Uncertainty

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Despite national headlines on economic slowdown, Baytown’s job market maintained positive momentum in January 2024, experiencing continued growth across various sectors. Let’s delve into the details:

  • The unemployment rate dipped to 4.2%, marking a slight improvement from December 2023 (4.5%) and a significant decrease compared to January 2023 (5.1%). 
  • Job postings on major platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn saw a 7% increase compared to December, indicating healthy employer demand.

Highlights:

  • The professional and business services sector led the charge, adding over 800 new jobs, primarily in areas like management, finance, and marketing.
  • The manufacturing industry followed closely, creating over 650 positions, driven by growth in chemical production and plastics manufacturing.
  • Healthcare and education also witnessed modest job gains, reflecting Baytown’s growing population and emphasis on community well-being.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional & Business Services: Management analysts, financial analysts, marketing specialists.
  • Manufacturing: Chemical operators, process engineers, machine operators.
  • Healthcare: Registered nurses, physical therapists, home health aides.
  • Education: Elementary school teachers, special education teachers, teacher assistants.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail trade saw a slight decline, primarily impacting cashiers and sales associates.
  • Leisure and hospitality experienced minimal job losses, concentrated in food service occupations.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Baytown’s job market outperformed its January 2023 performance, adding nearly 1,200 more jobs year-over-year.
  • The unemployment rate also improved significantly, dropping by almost 1 percentage point compared to January 2023.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job growth maintained consistency from December 2023, with a similar number of new positions added in both months.
  • The unemployment rate showed a slight improvement compared to December, indicating a stable labor market.

Future Outlook:

  • While national economic forecasts remain cautious, Baytown’s economic diversity and strategic location position it well for continued growth.
  • The expansion of the ExxonMobil complex and other ongoing industrial projects are expected to generate further job opportunities in the coming months.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurse
  2. Home Health Aide
  3. Management Analyst
  4. Financial Analyst
  5. Marketing Specialist
  6. Chemical Operator
  7. Process Engineer
  8. Elementary School Teacher
  9. Special Education Teacher
  10. Teacher Assistant

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. ExxonMobil
  2. Bayer
  3. LyondellBasell
  4. Huntsman Corporation
  5. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
  6. HCA Healthcare
  7. Memorial Hermann Health System
  8. Baytown Independent School District
  9. City of Baytown
  10. Walmart

Resources:

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