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:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Construction Laborers
- Truck Drivers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Physician Assistants
- Accountants and Auditors
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
- General and Operations Managers
- Marketing Specialists
10 Companies Hiring Now in Bismarck:
- Sanford Health
- MDU Resources
- Trinity Health
- Bismarck Public Schools
- St. Alexius Medical Center
- JLG Architects
- Basin Electric Power Cooperative
- Gate City Bank
- Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce
- 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.