Lake Charles’ job market held its own in December 2023, defying a slight national cooldown with continued job gains and a stable unemployment rate. While the pace of growth softened compared to previous months, the local economy remains positive, offering promising signals for job seekers in the months ahead.
Highlights:
- Non-farm employment increased by 1,400 jobs, reflecting a 1.4% monthly gain.
- Unemployment rate remained steady at 3.1%, matching the national average.
- Healthcare and social assistance sectors led the charge, adding 800 and 400 jobs respectively.
- Construction and leisure & hospitality also saw modest growth.
- Mining and logging remained stagnant, while transportation and warehousing shed a small number of jobs.
Industries and Occupations on the Rise:
- Healthcare: Registered nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides were among the top hiring professions.
- Social Assistance: Personal care aides, social workers, and child care workers saw increased demand.
- Construction: Carpenters, electricians, and construction laborers found promising opportunities.
- Leisure & Hospitality: Waiters and waitresses, cooks, and hotel room attendants benefitted from continued tourism activity.
Industries and Occupations Facing Downturns:
- Transportation and warehousing: Losses were concentrated in truck drivers and warehouse laborers.
- Mining and logging: The sector remained flat, offering limited job growth prospects.
Comparison to Previous Periods:
- Year-over-year: Lake Charles added 3,500 jobs in the past year, representing a 3.6% growth rate, outpacing the national average.
- Month-over-month: The December gain represents a slowdown from the prior months’ average of 2,000 new jobs.
Future Outlook:
- While national economic forecasts suggest a potential slowdown in 2024, Lake Charles remains well-positioned thanks to its diverse economy and ongoing infrastructure projects.
- The growing healthcare and social assistance sectors are expected to continue driving job creation.
- Continued investment in energy and manufacturing also holds promise for future job growth.
10 Growing Occupations in Lake Charles (December 2023):
- Registered Nurses
- Nursing Assistants
- Personal Care Aides
- Home Health Aides
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Construction Laborers
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Cooks
- Hotel Room Attendants
10 Companies Hiring Now in Lake Charles (as of January 2024):
- Christus St. Patrick Hospital
- Imperial Calcasieu Medical Center
- Cameron LNG
- CITGO Lake Charles Refinery
- Sempra LNG
- L’Auberge Casino Resort
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles
- Isle of Capri Casino Resort Lake Charles
- Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance
- City of Lake Charles
Resources: