Overview
The January 2024 jobs report for Knoxville paints a picture of a strengthening labor market. The report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), shows a continued rise in employment across various sectors. This comes after a positive December 2023 report, indicating Knoxville’s economy is on an upward trajectory.
Highlights
- The unemployment rate in Knoxville dipped to 4.2% in January 2024, compared to 4.8% in December 2023.
- Retail trade and leisure & hospitality sectors reported the most significant job gains.
- Job growth occurred across most major industries, with only a few sectors experiencing minor declines.
What Industries and Occupations Grew
The retail trade sector emerged as a leader in job growth in January 2024. This aligns with national trends, as consumer spending remains robust. The leisure & hospitality industry also saw a substantial increase in employment, likely due to the ongoing recovery of the travel and tourism sector.
According to the BLS [http://bls.org], some of the fastest-growing occupations in Knoxville in January 2024 included:
- Retail salespeople
- Food preparation and serving workers
- Personal care aides
- Registered nurses
- Software developers
What Industries and Occupations Shrank
The January 2024 report indicates a slight decline in employment within the information sector, which includes jobs in telecommunications and publishing. Manufacturing also saw a small decrease in jobs.
Compare to Same Month Last Year
Knoxville’s job market in January 2024 shows significant improvement compared to January 2023. The unemployment rate has decreased by 1.2 percentage points, and job growth is evident across most sectors.
Compare to Previous Month
The January 2024 report reflects a positive trend compared to December 2023. The unemployment rate fell slightly, and job growth continued across various industries.
Future Outlook
The Knoxville job market is expected to remain healthy in the coming months. The continued growth in retail trade and leisure & hospitality suggests consumer confidence is strong. Additionally, the expansion of the manufacturing and healthcare sectors points towards a diversified and promising economic future for Knoxville.
10 Growing Occupations
The following occupations are anticipated to experience the most significant job growth in Knoxville according to the BLS [http://bls.org]:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Personal Care Aides
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Home Health Aides
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Physician Assistants
- Special Education Teachers
- Database Administrators
10 Companies Hiring Now
- University of Tennessee Medical Center
- Knoxville Utilities Board
- Denso Manufacturing Tennessee
- Pilot Company
- Fort Knox
- AllianceBernstein
- TeamHealth
- Home Depot
- Walmart
- Amazon
Sources