Berkeley, CA – December 2023 Jobs Report – Job Growth Continues, Hospitality Rebounds

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The December 2023 jobs report for Berkeley, CA shows continued job growth, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.0%. Hospitality and innovation sectors experienced notable gains, while some educational and government positions declined.

Highlights:

  • Overall job growth of 0.5% compared to November 2023.
  • Unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.0%.
  • Hospitality sector added the most jobs, followed by professional and business services.
  • Educational and government services saw job losses.

Industries and Occupations that Grew:

  • Hospitality: Leisure and hospitality establishments added 2.3% more jobs in December compared to November, reflecting the busy holiday season.
  • Professional and Business Services: This broad sector, encompassing diverse roles like accountants and management consultants, saw a 0.8% increase in jobs.
  • Construction: The construction industry added 0.7% more jobs in December.

Industries and Occupations that Shrank:

  • Educational Services: Public and private educational institutions shed 0.4% of their jobs in December.
  • Government: Government entities saw a 0.3% decrease in employment.

Comparison to Same Month Last Year:

  • Berkeley’s December 2023 unemployment rate is 0.7 percentage points higher than December 2022.
  • Job growth in December 2023 was slower than December 2022, which saw a 1.2% increase.

Comparison to Previous Month:

  • Overall job growth in December 2023 was slightly higher than November 2023’s 0.4% increase.
  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged from November 2023.

Future Outlook:

The future outlook for Berkeley’s job market is cautiously optimistic. The city’s economy is bolstered by its strong university presence and innovative tech sector. However, rising interest rates and a potential economic slowdown could pose challenges.

10 Growing Occupations (December 2023 compared to November 2023):

  1. Software Developers, Applications
  2. Nursing Assistants
  3. Personal Care Aides
  4. Home Health Aides
  5. Sales Representatives, Services
  6. Marketing Specialists
  7. Social Workers
  8. Cooks
  9. Bartenders
  10. Elementary School Teachers

10 Companies Hiring Now in Berkeley, CA (as of February 5, 2024):

  1. University of California, Berkeley
  2. City of Berkeley
  3. Sutter Health
  4. Chevron
  5. Peet’s Coffee
  6. The Berkeley Hotel
  7. Gelson’s Markets
  8. Andronico’s Market
  9. Berkeley Unified School District
  10. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)

Resources:

  • City of Berkeley – 2023 Economic Dashboard
  • California Employment Development Department
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn