Compton’s job market saw a mixed bag in December 2023, adding jobs at a slower pace compared to previous months while staying afloat amidst a nationwide economic slowdown. The city’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.2%, mirroring the national average.
Highlights:
- Job growth: Compton added 250 jobs in December, marking a 0.2% increase in total non-farm employment. This follows a more robust 0.5% growth in November.
- Sectors: The gains were primarily driven by the professional and business services sector (+120 jobs), followed by education and health services (+80 jobs).
- Losses: Trade, transportation, and utilities (-50 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (-40 jobs) shed jobs last month.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Professional and business services: Professional, scientific, and technical services (+50 jobs) led the charge, followed by management, administration, and waste management occupations (+40 jobs).
- Education and health services: Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (+40 jobs) and educational support activities (+30 jobs) saw notable gains.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Trade, transportation, and utilities: Transportation and material moving occupations (-30 jobs) and sales and related occupations (-20 jobs) experienced losses.
- Leisure and hospitality: Food service and drinking establishments (-30 jobs) bore the brunt of job losses in this sector.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Compton’s job market has added 1,800 jobs since December 2022, representing a 1.5% year-over-year increase. This growth outpaces the national average of 1.1%.
- The unemployment rate has remained relatively stable, hovering around 5.2% throughout the year, compared to 5.5% in December 2022.
Compare to Previous Month:
- December’s job growth marks a slowdown compared to November 2023, which saw an addition of 420 jobs.
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged from November to December.
Future Outlook:
- The near-term outlook for Compton’s job market remains uncertain. National economic forecasts predict continued moderation in 2024, potentially impacting local hiring activity.
- However, Compton’s strategic location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area and ongoing investments in infrastructure and logistics could provide some buffer against broader economic headwinds.
10 Growing Occupations in Compton (December 2023):
- Registered nurses
- Personal care aides
- Home health aides
- Software developers
- Retail salespersons
- Truck drivers
- General labor workers
- Customer service representatives
- Management analysts
- Accountants and auditors
10 Companies Hiring Now in Compton (December 2023):
- Amazon
- FedEx
- Kaiser Permanente
- St. John’s Medical Center
- Comcast
- Toyota
- Honda
- City of Compton
- Compton Unified School District
- El Camino College
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