Danbury, CT – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Footing Amidst National Fluctuations

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Danbury’s labor market navigated December 2023 with relative stability, experiencing minor job losses amidst a seesawing national employment landscape. While Connecticut’s private sector shed jobs overall, Danbury’s decline was marginal, showcasing its underlying economic resilience.

Highlights:

  • The city’s total nonfarm employment dipped by 0.5% (approximately 380 jobs) compared to November 2023.
  • The unemployment rate held steady at 3.2%, mirroring the national average.
  • Three major industry sectors – Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; Education and Health Services; and Professional and Business Services – remained above December 2022 levels.

Industries and Occupations that Grew:

  • Leisure and Hospitality: Gained 100 jobs, fueled by continued momentum in the post-pandemic recovery of restaurants and tourism.
  • Education and Health Services: Added 50 jobs, driven by ongoing staffing needs in healthcare facilities and educational institutions.
  • Professional and Business Services: Increased by 20 jobs, reflecting stable demand for professional services like accounting, legal, and engineering.

Industries and Occupations that Shrank:

  • Manufacturing: Remained unchanged from November 2023, but compared to December 2022, showed a slight decline of 100 jobs.
  • Construction: Shed 40 jobs, possibly due to seasonal slowdowns in the construction industry.
  • Information: Lost 30 jobs, mirroring a national trend of tech sector downsizing.

Comparisons:

  • Compared to December 2022, Danbury’s overall employment grew by 0.7%, outperforming the state’s private sector job losses.
  • The city’s unemployment rate remained lower than the national average of 3.5% in December 2023.

Future Outlook:

With Connecticut projecting modest economic growth in 2024, Danbury’s job market is expected to maintain its stability. Key sectors like healthcare, education, and professional services are anticipated to remain robust, offering promising employment opportunities.

10 Growing Occupations (Danbury MSA):

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts
  3. General and Operations Managers
  4. Truck Drivers
  5. Physician Assistants
  6. Customer Service Representatives
  7. Accountants and Auditors
  8. Physical Therapist Aides
  9. Marketing Specialists
  10. Electricians

10 Companies Hiring Now (Danbury area):

  1. Praxair
  2. Boehringer Ingelheim
  3. Danbury Hospital
  4. Stew Leonard’s
  5. Webster Bank
  6. Pratt & Whitney
  7. Collins Aerospace
  8. Yale New Haven Health
  9. City of Danbury
  10. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

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