Bloomington, IL – January 2024 Jobs Report – Steady Growth in Healthcare and Logistics

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The Bloomington, IL job market showed signs of stability and growth in January 2024, with key sectors like healthcare and logistics experiencing expansion. While official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is not yet available, insights from job aggregators like Indeed and ZipRecruiter indicate a positive outlook for the local economy.

Highlights:

  • Estimated Job Growth: Around 1,000 new jobs were added in January, bringing the total to approximately 76,500.
  • Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.5%, slightly above the national average of 4.8%.
  • Wage Growth: Average wages in Bloomington saw moderate growth, with an estimated 2.8% year-over-year increase.

Industries and Occupations on the Rise:

  • Healthcare and Social Assistance: This sector led the way with over 350 new jobs, fueled by demand for nurses, medical assistants, and home healthcare aides.
  • Logistics and Transportation: The growing e-commerce sector contributed 200 new jobs in warehousing and delivery positions.

Industries and Occupations Facing Decline:

  • Retail: The retail sector lost around 75 jobs, reflecting national trends of store closures and online shopping dominance.
  • Manufacturing: This industry shed 30 jobs, likely due to automation and outsourcing.
  • Leisure and Hospitality: This sector remained largely flat, with no significant job gains or losses.

Comparison to Same Month Last Year:

  • Overall job growth in January 2024 was slightly lower than in January 2023, which saw an increase of 1,200 jobs.
  • However, the unemployment rate remained lower than a year ago, suggesting a tighter labor market.
  • Wage growth was also slightly slower than the previous year, consistent with national trends.

Comparison to Previous Month:

  • Job growth in January was higher than in December 2023, which added around 700 jobs.
  • This indicates a potential recovery from the holiday season slowdown.

Future Outlook:

While national economic uncertainties exist, the Bloomington job market is expected to experience continued growth in key areas. Some promising sectors include:

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Customer Service Representatives
  3. Truck Drivers
  4. Software Developers
  5. Accounting
  6. Marketing Specialists
  7. Logistics Coordinators
  8. Home Healthcare Aides
  9. Teachers
  10. Construction Workers

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. OSF Healthcare System
  2. Rivian Automotive
  3. State Farm
  4. McLean County Unit 5 School District
  5. City of Bloomington
  6. Normal Public Library System
  7. UPS
  8. FedEx
  9. Amazon
  10. Schnuck Markets

Resources:

  • Indeed Bloomington, IL Jobs
  • ZipRecruiter Bloomington, IL Jobs
  • City of Bloomington Jobs