The Flagstaff job market kicked off 2024 with a surge in hiring, particularly in tourism and healthcare sectors. While official January unemployment figures are not yet available, job postings and hiring trends paint a picture of a growing and dynamic economy.
Highlights:
- Strong job growth: Job boards like Indeed and ZipRecruiter saw a significant increase in postings compared to December 2023, suggesting positive momentum in the local job market.
- Tourism leads the charge: Hospitality and service industries related to tourism experienced the most significant hiring activity, fueled by the winter season and Flagstaff’s growing popularity as a year-round destination.
- Healthcare in high demand: Hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies actively sought medical professionals, reflecting the city’s expanding healthcare sector.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Leisure and Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, ski resorts, and entertainment venues added positions in anticipation of the busy winter season.
- Healthcare: Nurses, therapists, doctors, and other medical professionals were in high demand across various healthcare settings.
- Education: Schools and universities posted openings for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
- Retail: Stores saw seasonal hiring spikes, particularly in tourism-related sectors.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Construction: Hiring activity slowed down after a busy 2023, with fewer postings for construction workers and tradespeople.
- Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector saw limited job growth compared to other industries.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Job postings in January 2024 were significantly higher than in January 2023, reflecting an overall positive trend in the Flagstaff job market.
- Specific growth industries like tourism and healthcare saw even more pronounced increases in hiring activity compared to the previous year.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Compared to December 2023, January saw a surge in job postings across various sectors, indicating a strong start to the new year.
Future Outlook:
- The Flagstaff job market is expected to remain robust in the coming months, fueled by continued growth in tourism, healthcare, and education.
- Seasonal hiring trends will likely continue, with peaks in summer and winter months catering to tourism demands.
- The ongoing need for skilled professionals in healthcare and technology fields is expected to drive sustained job growth in these sectors.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurse
- Customer Service Representative
- Server
- Cashier
- Software Developer
- Teacher
- Marketing Specialist
- Sales Associate
- Accountant
- Construction Worker
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Northern Arizona Healthcare
- City of Flagstaff
- The National Park Service
- Flagstaff Unified School District
- Aspen Santa Fe Ski Resort
- Lowell Observatory
- Flagstaff Medical Center
- Walmart
- Target
- Home Depot
Sources:
- Indeed.com
- ZipRecruiter.com
- City of Flagstaff website
- Northern Arizona Healthcare website
- Arizona Department of Economic Security