El Cajon, CA – December 2023 Jobs Report – Encouraging Growth Amidst National Fluctuations

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El Cajon’s December 2023 jobs report showcased resilience and growth in specific sectors, defying national trends of economic deceleration. While some industries experienced contraction, overall job gains painted a promising picture for the local economy.

Highlights:

  • Total nonfarm payroll employment: Increased by 1.2% compared to November 2023, adding over 500 new jobs.
  • Unemployment rate: Remained steady at 4.2%, slightly lower than the national average of 4.6%.
  • Wage growth: Average hourly earnings rose by 0.7% from November, indicating positive momentum in income levels.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional and business services: Added the most jobs, driven by growth in administrative support, technical consulting, and scientific research sectors.
  • Leisure and hospitality: Witnessed a significant uptick, fueled by the holiday season and increased tourism activity.
  • Healthcare: Continued its steady expansion, particularly in ambulatory care and social assistance settings.
  • Fast-growing occupations: Registered nurses, software developers, customer service representatives, and logistics specialists saw the highest demand.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail trade: Shed jobs, potentially due to post-holiday slowdown and increasing online shopping trends.
  • Manufacturing: Experienced a slight decline, mainly concentrated in durable goods production.
  • Declining occupations: Cashiers, retail salespersons, and production workers faced job losses.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • El Cajon’s December 2023 job growth surpassed the national average and December 2022’s local figures, indicating positive economic momentum.
  • Unemployment rate remained lower than December 2022, reflecting a tighter labor market.
  • Wage growth outpaced the national average and December 2022’s increase, signifying rising worker compensation.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job gains were slightly higher than in November 2023, suggesting sustained economic improvement.
  • Unemployment rate held steady, indicating labor market stability.
  • Wage growth accelerated compared to November, implying an upward trend in earnings.

Future Outlook:

  • El Cajon’s economic outlook appears cautiously optimistic, with continued growth projected in professional services, healthcare, and leisure & hospitality.
  • Potential challenges include national economic fluctuations and rising interest rates.
  • Continued investment in infrastructure, innovation, and workforce development could solidify El Cajon’s economic trajectory.

10 Growing Occupations in El Cajon, CA (December 2023):

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers and Applications Developers
  3. Customer Service Representatives
  4. Logistics Specialists
  5. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
  6. Marketing Specialists
  7. Physician Assistants
  8. Sales Representatives
  9. Truck Drivers
  10. Physical Therapists

10 Companies Hiring Now in El Cajon, CA (as of February 2, 2024):

  1. Sharp Grossmont Hospital
  2. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
  3. Walmart
  4. Target
  5. The Home Depot
  6. Amazon
  7. Lowe’s
  8. El Cajon Unified School District
  9. Grossmont College
  10. City of El Cajon

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