Bridgeport’s December 2023 jobs report shines a positive light on the city’s economic resilience, defying national trends of slowing job growth. The city added 80 new nonfarm jobs, solidifying a year-end total of 470 positions gained. This stands in contrast to the national decrease in nonfarm payroll employment reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), offering hope for Bridgeport’s future economic prospects.
Highlights:
- Positive job growth: December saw an encouraging gain of 80 jobs, bringing the year-end total to 470 new positions.
- Unemployment rate dips: Bridgeport’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.8%, remaining lower than the national average of 3.5%.
- Wage growth moderates: Average weekly earnings increased by 3.2% year-over-year, reflecting a slower growth rate compared to previous months.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Healthcare & Social Assistance: Added 30 jobs, driven by demand for nurses, aides, and other medical professionals.
- Professional & Business Services: Gained 20 jobs, showcasing growth in areas like accounting, legal services, and marketing.
- Trade, Transportation & Utilities: Increased by 10 jobs, mainly due to expansion in logistics and transportation sectors.
- Fastest-growing occupations: Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, home health aides, and social workers saw significant job gains.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Retail Trade: Lost 10 jobs, mirroring national trends impacted by online shopping and changing consumer habits.
- Leisure & Hospitality: Declined by 5 jobs, primarily seasonal adjustments after the holiday rush.
- Manufacturing: Remained stagnant, raising concerns about potential future declines in this historically important sector for Bridgeport.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Job growth in December 2023 surpassed December 2022, which added 60 positions.
- The unemployment rate was slightly lower in December 2023 compared to 3.9% in December 2022.
- Average weekly earnings experienced similar year-over-year growth in both periods.
Compare to Previous Month:
- December 2023 saw a decrease in job gains compared to November 2023, which added 90 positions.
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged from November 2023.
- Average weekly earnings grew at a slightly slower pace in December compared to November.
Future Outlook:
While Bridgeport’s job market appears robust, potential national economic headwinds could pose challenges. Continued focus on attracting and retaining businesses in key sectors like healthcare, professional services, and logistics, alongside strategic investments in workforce development initiatives, will be crucial for sustained growth. Additionally, addressing potential decline in the manufacturing sector through diversification efforts will be important for a resilient economic future.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Physician Assistants
- Nurse Practitioners
- Home Health Aides
- Social Workers
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers and Application Developers
- Marketing Specialists
- Accountants and Auditors
- Financial Analysts
- Teachers
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport Hospital
- People’s United Bank
- City of Bridgeport
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- Pepperidge Farm
- United Technologies Corporation
- General Electric
- Metro-North Railroad
- St. Vincent’s Medical Center
- Anthem
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