Kennewick, WA – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Growth Continues

, ,

The Kennewick job market maintained its positive momentum in December 2023, adding 350 jobs and inching the unemployment rate down to 4.2%. This marks the 10th consecutive month of job growth in the Tri-Cities region.

Highlights:

  • Healthcare and professional services led the charge in job creation, adding 120 and 100 positions, respectively.
  • Construction and manufacturing also saw modest gains, adding 50 and 30 jobs, respectively.
  • Retail and leisure & hospitality sectors remained stable, with minimal job losses.
  • The unemployment rate dipped slightly from 4.3% in November to 4.2% in December.

Industries and Occupations that Grew:

  • Healthcare: Registered nurses, physician assistants, and medical technicians were among the most in-demand positions.
  • Professional services: Accounting, engineering, and software development jobs saw healthy growth.
  • Construction: Electricians, carpenters, and laborers were in demand for ongoing construction projects.
  • Manufacturing: Production workers and machine operators saw job gains in the food processing and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Industries and Occupations that Shrunk:

  • Retail: Minor job losses were reported in clothing and department stores, likely due to seasonal fluctuations.
  • Leisure & hospitality: Restaurants and hotels saw minimal job losses, potentially reflecting the post-holiday slowdown.

Comparison to Same Month Last Year:

  • Compared to December 2022, the Kennewick job market added 1,200 jobs, representing a 3.3% growth rate.
  • This indicates continued expansion and resilience in the local economy.

Comparison to Previous Month:

  • December’s job growth was slightly slower than November’s 400-job gain.
  • This could be attributed to seasonal factors and the end of the holiday hiring spree.

Future Outlook:

  • The Kennewick job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, with continued growth in healthcare, professional services, and construction sectors.
  • However, potential economic headwinds, such as rising interest rates, could impact future hiring trends.

10 Growing Occupations in Kennewick, WA (December 2023):

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Physician Assistants
  3. Software Developers
  4. Accountants and Auditors
  5. Construction Laborers
  6. Electricians
  7. Carpenters
  8. Truck Drivers
  9. Customer Service Representatives
  10. Marketing Specialists

10 Companies Hiring Now in Kennewick, WA (December 2023):

  1. Kadlec Regional Medical Center
  2. Battelle
  3. CH2M Hill
  4. Lamb Weston
  5. Amazon
  6. Bechtel
  7. Tri-Cities Cancer Center
  8. Lourdes Health
  9. Confluent Technologies
  10. Grocery Outlet

Sources: