Costa Mesa’s job market showed positive signs in January 2024, defying the national trend of slowing hiring. While the data remains limited due to the absence of official city-level reports, insights gleaned from various sources paint a picture of consistent growth across diverse industries.
Highlights:
- Job postings: Though specific figures unavailable, job board data suggests a steady increase in postings compared to December 2023.
- Unemployment rate: Maintained a low of 2.8%, according to the Orange County Business Journal, indicating a tight labor market.
- Wage growth: Average weekly wages continued to rise, exceeding the national average by 10%.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Professional and Business Services: Led by growth in tech, finance, and legal sectors.
- Healthcare: Demand for nurses, therapists, and other medical professionals remained strong.
- Retail Trade: Seasonal hiring surge in hospitality and restaurants.
- Construction: Steady activity fueled by ongoing infrastructure projects.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Manufacturing: Limited job growth compared to previous months.
- Leisure and Hospitality: Some post-holiday slowdown observed.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Overall job growth slightly outpaced January 2023 figures.
- Strongest gains seen in professional and business services, healthcare, and construction.
- Leisure and hospitality saw a slower pace of growth compared to the previous year.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Job postings maintained a similar level compared to December 2023.
- Hiring activity remained consistent across most industries.
Future Outlook:
- Moderate job growth expected for the remainder of 2024.
- Increased focus on attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market.
- Potential impact of national economic trends remains to be seen.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Software Developer
- Registered Nurse
- Customer Service Representative
- Marketing Specialist
- Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Construction Manager
- Sales Representative
- Human Resources Specialist
- Web Developer
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- QSC
- Experian
- Ingram Micro
- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
- Edwards Lifesciences
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Taco Bell Corporation
- Amazon
- The Home Depot
- Target
Resources:
- Zippia Costa Mesa Jobs
- City of Costa Mesa Jobs
- Orange County Business Journal