College Station, TX – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Growth Persists Despite Slight Moderation

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The job market in College Station-Bryan continued its positive trajectory in December 2023, marking the seventh consecutive month of job gains. While the pace of growth slowed slightly compared to November, key indicators suggest a stable and potentially expanding labor market in the early months of 2024.

Highlights:

  • Non-farm employment: Up by 270 jobs, reaching a total of 138,747 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
  • Unemployment rate: Held steady at 3.2%, remaining below both state and national averages.
  • Labor force participation: Increased slightly to 63.1%, indicating an expanding pool of active job seekers.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional and business services: Added 120 jobs, driven by growth in legal, accounting, and management consulting roles.
  • Education and health services: Gained 80 jobs, with healthcare support roles and specialized teaching positions seeing the most significant increases.
  • Construction: Showed modest growth of 50 jobs, primarily in residential construction and related trades.

What Industries and Occupations Shrunk:

  • Manufacturing: Declined by 40 jobs, mainly in the durable goods sector.
  • Leisure and hospitality: Shed 30 jobs, with losses concentrated in food service and accommodation establishments.
  • Wholesale trade: Experienced a minor decline of 20 jobs.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

Compared to December 2022, College Station-Bryan’s job market added 2,420 jobs, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 1.8%. This growth outpaced the national average of 1.5% but remained slightly below the state average of 2.1%.

Compare to Previous Month:

The December job gain was lower than the 340 jobs added in November 2023. However, the overall trend remains positive, suggesting continued stability in the local labor market.0

Future Outlook:

Economic forecasts for the College Station-Bryan area indicate sustained job growth in 2024, fueled by ongoing investments in healthcare, education, and technology sectors. The proximity to Texas A&M University also plays a significant role in attracting businesses and talent to the region (Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation).

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers and Applications
  3. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
  4. Marketing Specialists
  5. Physicians and Surgeons
  6. Financial Analysts
  7. Wind Turbine Service Technicians
  8. Elementary School Teachers
  9. Sales Representatives
  10. Truck Drivers (Heavy and Tractor-Trailer)

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Texas A&M University System
  2. H-E-B
  3. Baylor Scott & White Health
  4. City of College Station
  5. City of Bryan
  6. HEB
  7. CHI St. Joseph Health
  8. The Cheesecake Factory
  9. Brookshire Brothers
  10. Walmart

(Source: Indeed.com)

Please note: This information is based on publicly available data and may not be completely accurate or up-to-date. For the latest information on the job market in College Station-Bryan, please visit the websites of the resources listed above.

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