Clearwater, FL – January 2024 Jobs Report – Sunshine City Shines with Job Growth

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Clearwater’s job market kicked off 2024 with a positive note, adding jobs and experiencing a slight dip in unemployment compared to December 2023. While data specific to Clearwater isn’t available, the broader Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) paints a promising picture.

Highlights:

  • Job growth: The Tampa MSA added 7,200 jobs in January, representing a 0.5% increase from December 2023. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Unemployment: The unemployment rate inched down to 3.1%, reflecting a healthy and competitive labor market. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Strongest sectors: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities saw the most significant growth, followed by Leisure and Hospitality, and Professional and Business Services. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: This sector added 16,500 jobs, driven by growth in retail, transportation, and warehousing. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Leisure and Hospitality: The tourism industry saw a 4,600-job increase, reflecting the continued recovery of travel and leisure spending. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Professional and Business Services: This sector added 2,200 jobs, with growth in areas like administrative support, technical consulting, and scientific research. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Growing occupations: Registered Nurses, Customer Service Representatives, Retail Salespersons, Truck Drivers, and Software Developers & Designers are among the fastest-growing occupations in the Tampa MSA. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Construction: The construction industry saw a slight decline of 800 jobs, potentially due to seasonal fluctuations. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Manufacturing: This sector lost 200 jobs, reflecting national trends of automation and outsourcing. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Shrinking occupations: Cashiers, Laborers, and Fast Food Cooks are among the occupations with declining job numbers in the Tampa MSA. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Job growth in January 2024 was slightly slower than January 2023, which saw an increase of 8,100 jobs.
  • The unemployment rate in January 2024 was lower than January 2023, which stood at 3.4%.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job growth in January 2024 was higher than December 2023, which saw an increase of 1,100 jobs.
  • The unemployment rate in January 2024 remained unchanged from December 2023.

Future Outlook:

The Tampa MSA’s job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, with continued growth in sectors like tourism, healthcare, and technology. However, potential economic headwinds like inflation and interest rate hikes could impact job growth later in the year.

10 Growing Occupations in the Tampa MSA:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Customer Service Representatives
  3. Retail Salespersons
  4. Truck Drivers
  5. Software Developers & Designers
  6. General and Operations Managers
  7. Marketing Specialists
  8. Physician Assistants
  9. Home Health Aides & Personal Care Aides
  10. Financial Analysts

10 Companies Hiring Now in Clearwater:

  1. Morton Plant Hospital
  2. Publix Super Markets
  3. Spectrum
  4. Raymond James Financial
  5. Tech Data
  6. Verizon
  7. Marriott International
  8. BayCare Health System
  9. The Home Depot
  10. Amazon

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