Bismarck, ND – December 2023 Jobs Report – A Steady Finish to a Dynamic Year

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The final jobs report of 2023 for Bismarck, North Dakota, painted a picture of resilience and continued growth, albeit at a slightly slower pace than earlier months. While the overall unemployment rate rose slightly, job creation remained positive, and key industries like healthcare and construction continued to add new positions.

Overview:

  • Unemployment Rate: 1.7% (up from 1.4% in November)
  • Total Nonfarm Jobs: data not yet available for December, but November saw an increase of 200 jobs
  • Labor Force Participation: 60.3% (down from 61.1% in November)

Highlights:

  • Bismarck’s December unemployment rate remained among the lowest in the nation, tying with Maryland for first place.
  • Job growth, though slower than previous months, continued in key sectors like healthcare, construction, and government.
  • The leisure and hospitality sector saw a slight decline in jobs, likely due to the seasonal slowdown.
  • Wage growth remained steady, with average hourly earnings rising by 0.4% in December.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Healthcare: Added jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient care facilities.
  • Construction: Increased hiring in residential and commercial construction projects.
  • Government: Expanded employment in education, public safety, and other government agencies.
  • Professional and Business Services: Saw growth in jobs like accounting, engineering, and computer systems analysis.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Leisure and Hospitality: Declined slightly in employment, primarily in restaurants and hotels.
  • Transportation and Warehousing: Lost a small number of jobs in trucking and logistics.
  • Retail Trade: Saw a modest decline in employment, likely due to holiday season job cuts.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Compared to December 2022, Bismarck’s unemployment rate remained lower (1.7% vs. 2.0%).
  • Job growth in 2023 was slightly slower than in 2022, but still positive.
  • Key industries like healthcare and construction continued to experience strong growth year-over-year.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Compared to November 2023, Bismarck’s unemployment rate increased slightly (1.7% vs. 1.4%).
  • Job growth slowed down in December, but remained positive.
  • The leisure and hospitality sector saw a larger decline in jobs compared to November.

Future Outlook:

  • The Bismarck job market is expected to remain strong in 2024, with continued growth in healthcare, construction, and government sectors.
  • The pace of job growth may slow down due to national economic headwinds, but Bismarck’s low unemployment rate and strong key industries suggest continued resilience.

10 Growing Occupations in Bismarck:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers
  3. Construction Laborers
  4. Truck Drivers
  5. Customer Service Representatives
  6. Physician Assistants
  7. Accountants and Auditors
  8. Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
  9. General and Operations Managers
  10. Marketing Specialists

10 Companies Hiring Now in Bismarck:

  1. Sanford Health
  2. MDU Resources
  3. Trinity Health
  4. Bismarck Public Schools
  5. St. Alexius Medical Center
  6. JLG Architects
  7. Basin Electric Power Cooperative
  8. Gate City Bank
  9. Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce
  10. Scheels

Sources:

Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly available data and may not be exhaustive. Please consult with relevant agencies and organizations for the latest information.