Fargo, ND – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Growth Amid National Slowdown

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The Fargo job market maintained its momentum in December 2023, adding jobs despite a national slowdown. The unemployment rate remained low, reflecting a tight labor market with continued demand for workers.

Highlights:

  • Job growth: Fargo added 800 jobs in December, bringing the total number of employed individuals to 143,200. This represents a 0.6% increase compared to November and a 2.2% increase year-over-year.
  • Low unemployment: The unemployment rate in Fargo stayed steady at 1.9%, significantly lower than the national average of 3.5%.
  • Wage growth: Average wages in Fargo increased by 3.8% compared to December 2022, reaching $30.23 per hour.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional and Business Services: This sector added the most jobs, with growth in areas like management, consulting, and technical services.
  • Leisure and Hospitality: The tourism industry continued to rebound, adding jobs in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
  • Healthcare: Employment in healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, remained stable.
  • Fastest-growing occupations: Registered Nurses, Software Developers, Physician Assistants, Marketing Specialists, and Financial Analysts.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail Trade: Job losses were concentrated in brick-and-mortar stores, as online shopping continues to grow.
  • Mining and Logging: This industry experienced a slight decline in employment, mirroring a national trend.
  • Construction: Employment in construction remained flat, likely due to seasonal fluctuations.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Job growth in December 2023 was slightly slower compared to December 2022, which saw an increase of 1.0%.
  • However, the unemployment rate remained significantly lower than a year ago (2.0% in December 2022).
  • Average wages grew at a faster pace in December 2023 compared to the previous year (2.8% in December 2022).

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job growth in December 2023 was slightly higher than in November 2023 (500 jobs added).
  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged from November.
  • Average wages increased marginally compared to the previous month.

Future Outlook:

The Fargo job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, with continued growth projected in professional and business services, healthcare, and leisure and hospitality industries. However, national economic headwinds and potential interest rate hikes could pose challenges.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers
  3. Physician Assistants
  4. Marketing Specialists
  5. Financial Analysts
  6. General and Operations Managers
  7. Computer and Information Systems Managers
  8. Sales Representatives
  9. Customer Service Representatives
  10. Truck Drivers

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Sanford Health
  2. Essentia Health
  3. Microsoft
  4. Amazon
  5. Fargo Public Schools
  6. Cass County
  7. City of Fargo
  8. Wells Fargo
  9. US Bank
  10. Target

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