The December 2023 jobs report for Gresham, OR, indicates a period of relative stability in the local labor market. While there weren’t significant surges in hiring, the data suggests a steady pace of job creation across various sectors.
Highlights:
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%, holding near its pre-pandemic level.
- Job growth was moderate, with around 150 new positions added in December.
- Several key industries like healthcare, education, and professional services continued to see hiring activity.
Industry and Occupation Performance:
- Growth: Healthcare added the most new jobs, followed by education and professional services. Demand for registered nurses, teachers, and customer service representatives remained strong.
- Stability: Retail and leisure & hospitality sectors maintained their December 2022 employment levels.
- Decline: Construction saw a slight decrease in jobs compared to November 2023.
Year-over-Year Comparison:
- Gresham’s December 2023 unemployment rate is 0.2% lower than December 2022.
- The city’s total employment level has grown by 1.8% compared to December 2022.
Month-over-Month Comparison:
- The unemployment rate remained flat compared to November 2023.
- Job growth experienced a slight slowdown compared to November 2023’s gains.
Future Outlook:
The future trajectory of the Gresham job market remains uncertain. National economic headwinds could dampen hiring activity in the coming months. However, the city’s growing population and its position within the Portland metropolitan area continue to be positive indicators for long-term job creation.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurse
- Customer Service Representative
- Teacher
- Software Developer
- Truck Driver
- Home Health Aide
- Sales Associate
- Elementary School Teacher
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Warehouse Worker
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Providence Health & Services
- Gresham-Barlow School District
- Amazon
- Walmart
- FedEx
- Starbucks
- McDonald’s
- Dutch Bros. Coffee
- Kaiser Permanente
- Target
Resources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- City of Gresham Economic Development Department