The January 2024 jobs report for Brockton, MA, presents a mixed picture, mirroring regional trends. While the overall unemployment rate remains steady, job growth has slowed compared to previous months. This report dives into the details, analyzing industry and occupational trends, offering insights for job seekers and employers.
Highlights:
- Unemployment rate: Maintained at 4.2%, unchanged from December 2023.
- Job growth: Added 87 jobs, compared to 120 in December.
- Leading industries: Healthcare & Social Assistance, Education & Public Administration, and Retail Trade remained stable.
- Declining sectors: Manufacturing and Transportation & Warehousing saw slight job losses.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Healthcare & Social Assistance: Added 35 jobs, primarily in Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides positions.
- Education & Public Administration: Gained 22 jobs, driven by growth in Special Education Teachers and Elementary School Teachers.
- Retail Trade: Increased by 18 jobs, with Cashiers and Retail Salespersons showing the most significant growth.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Manufacturing: Lost 25 jobs, mainly in Production Workers and Assemblers roles.
- Transportation & Warehousing: Declined by 12 jobs, primarily affecting Truck Drivers and Warehouse Laborers.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Unemployment rate: Down from 4.8% in January 2023.
- Job growth: Slower than January 2023, which added 152 jobs.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Unemployment rate: Unchanged from December 2023.
- Job growth: Lower than December 2023, which added 120 jobs.
Future Outlook:
The future trajectory of Brockton’s job market remains uncertain. National economic factors and regional trends will likely influence local growth. However, continued demand in healthcare, education, and retail sectors is expected.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurses
- Home Health Aides
- Special Education Teachers
- Elementary School Teachers
- Cashiers
- Retail Salespersons
- Physician Assistants
- Personal Care Aides
- Truck Drivers
- Software Developers & Computer Programmers
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Signature Healthcare
- Brockton Public Schools
- Amazon
- Walmart
- CVS Health
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Santander Bank
- People’s United Bank
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