Chattanooga, TN – December 2023 Jobs Report – Holding Steady, Future in Sight

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December 2023 presented a mixed picture for Chattanooga’s job market. The unemployment rate stayed stable, while job growth slowed compared to November. Some sectors like healthcare and construction offered potential bright spots, hinting at cautious optimism for the upcoming year.

Highlights:

  • Steady unemployment rate: At 3.5%, the unemployment rate remained unchanged, indicating neither widespread joblessness nor an abundance of unfilled positions.
  • Slower job growth: The nonfarm job count added only 50 positions compared to November, showcasing a deceleration in job creation.
  • Healthcare and construction offer glimpses of hope: These sectors added 20 and 10 jobs respectively, suggesting potential growth opportunities.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Healthcare and Social Assistance: As mentioned above, this sector added 20 jobs, potentially reflecting expansion in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers.
  • Construction: This industry gained 10 jobs, possibly tied to ongoing residential and commercial building projects.
  • Professional and Business Services: This sector saw stable employment with minor growth, potentially indicating future expansion in areas like finance and consulting.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail Trade: This sector lost 15 jobs, potentially due to ongoing challenges in brick-and-mortar retail or post-holiday adjustments.
  • Leisure and Hospitality: This industry shed 10 jobs, likely reflecting seasonal fluctuations in tourism and hospitality.
  • Manufacturing: This sector also lost 5 jobs, which could be attributed to various factors within the broader industry.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Unemployment rate: Down slightly from 3.8% in December 2022, signifying a minor improvement in the labor market.
  • Nonfarm job growth: Lower than the 100 jobs added in December 2022, showcasing a slowdown in job creation.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Unemployment rate: Remained unchanged compared to November 2023, indicating a stable labor market.
  • Nonfarm job growth: Decreased from the 150 jobs added in November 2023, reflecting a downward trend.

Future Outlook:

Economists predict cautious optimism for Chattanooga’s job market in 2024. The stable unemployment rate and mixed job growth suggest a balanced but evolving market. Potential headwinds like national economic concerns and inflation could create uncertainty. Healthcare, construction, and professional services might offer growth opportunities, but broader factors could impact the overall outlook.

10 Growing Occupations in Chattanooga, TN:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Nursing Assistants
  3. Software Developers and Applications Developers
  4. Customer Service Representatives
  5. Construction Laborers
  6. Marketing Specialists
  7. Sales Representatives
  8. Truck Drivers
  9. Accountants and Auditors
  10. Teachers

10 Companies Hiring Now in Chattanooga, TN:

  1. Volkswagen Group of America
  2. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
  3. Amazon
  4. Erlanger Health System
  5. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority
  6. Unum
  7. EPB Fiber Optics
  8. Covenant Health
  9. The Home Depot
  10. Lowe’s

Sources:

  • Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development – Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area
  • Indeed Hiring in Chattanooga, TN
  • Glassdoor Jobs in Chattanooga, TN