The Evansville job market continued its positive trend in December 2023, adding new positions and maintaining a low unemployment rate. This report summarizes the key takeaways from the latest available data.
Overview:
- The Evansville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added 1,200 jobs in December, bringing the total employment to 229,800.
- The unemployment rate remained steady at 2.7%, well below the national average.
- Job growth was spread across various sectors, with some industries experiencing particularly strong gains.
Highlights:
- Professional and Business Services led the job growth, adding 400 positions. This sector includes a wide range of occupations, such as accountants, engineers, and marketing specialists.
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 300 jobs, driven by growth in retail and transportation sectors.
- Leisure and Hospitality also saw 200 new jobs, reflecting the continued recovery of the tourism industry.
Industries and Occupations that Grew:
- Professional and Business Services: Accountants, engineers, marketing specialists
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: Retail workers, transportation operators, logistics coordinators
- Leisure and Hospitality: Waiters and waitresses, cooks, hotel clerks
- Manufacturing: Production workers, machine operators, assemblers
- Healthcare: Registered nurses, home health aides, nursing assistants
Industries and Occupations that Shrank:
- Information: This sector shed 50 jobs, primarily due to automation and outsourcing.
- Mining and Logging: A small decline of 20 jobs was observed in this sector.
Comparison to Same Month Last Year:
- Job growth in December 2023 was slightly slower than in December 2022, which saw an increase of 1,500 jobs.
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged compared to December 2022.
Comparison to Previous Month:
- December 2023 saw more job gains compared to November 2023, which added 800 positions.
- The unemployment rate held steady compared to November 2023.
Future Outlook:
- The Evansville job market is expected to continue growing in 2024, with an anticipated increase of 2.0% in total employment.
- Sectors like Healthcare, Professional and Business Services, and Manufacturing are projected to see the most significant job growth.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurses
- Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
- Software Developers and Applications Developers
- Physician Assistants
- Truck Drivers and Heavy Vehicle Operators
- Marketing Specialists
- Sales Representatives
- Customer Service Representatives
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Physical Therapists
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Deaconess Health System
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
- Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
- EVRAZ North America
- Deaconess Gibson Hospital
- Mead Johnson Nutrition
- St. Vincent Evansville
- Berry Global Group, Inc.
- CenterPoint Energy
- Shoe Carnival
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