January 29, 2024

Cranston, RI – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Growth amid Shifting Trends

Cranston’s job market closed out 2023 with positive strides, adding 50 jobs in December and contributing to a solid year-end performance. While the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.4%, the city’s job count remained above pre-pandemic levels, offering positive prospects for 2024.

Overview:

Job growth: 50 jobs gained in December, following November’s gain of 30.
Unemployment rate: Up to 3.4% from 3.3% in November, remaining below the national average.
Year-over-year comparison: Job count up 200 from December 2022, a 0.4% increase.
Private vs. public: Private sector added 80 jobs, while the public sector lost 30.

Highlights:

The healthcare sector continued its robust expansion, adding 40 jobs in December.
Professional and business services added 30 jobs, driven by growth in accounting, legal, and management consulting roles.
Manufacturing remained stable, adding 10 jobs, mostly in food and beverage processing.
Trade, transportation, and utilities saw a slight decline, losing 20 jobs, primarily in the transportation and warehousing subsectors.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

Healthcare: Registered nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides were among the fastest-growing occupations.
Professional and business services: Accountant, marketing specialist, and business analyst were in high demand.
Manufacturing: Food processing worker, production supervisor, and quality control inspector saw job gains.

What Industries and Occupations Shrunk:

Trade, transportation, and utilities: Truck driver, warehouse worker, and shipping clerk positions saw some decline.
Leisure and hospitality: Hotel front desk agent, waiter/waitress, and cook roles experienced slight job losses.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

Cranston added 200 jobs compared to December 2022, reflecting a more positive year-end performance than the national average.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged from December 2022, indicating a stable job market.

Compare to Previous Month:

Job growth slowed down in December compared to November’s 30-job gain, suggesting a possible seasonal factor.
The unemployment rate ticked up slightly from 3.3% to 3.4%, but remained within a narrow range.

Future Outlook:

Cranston’s job market is expected to remain stable in 2024, with healthcare, professional services, and manufacturing sectors driving growth.
Potential challenges include national economic fluctuations and skilled labor shortages in certain sectors.

10 Growing Occupations in Cranston:

10 Companies Hiring Now in Cranston:

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