The January 2024 jobs report for Lawrence, KS, paints a picture of a steadily recovering and expanding job market, fueled by growth in key sectors like education and healthcare. While official reports for January 2024 are not yet available, data from December 2023 and January job postings offer valuable insights.
Overview:
- Unemployment rate: 3.2% in December 2023, slightly below the national average of 3.5%.
- Job growth: 1.8% year-over-year in December 2023.
- Leading industries: Education and healthcare services, retail trade, professional and business services (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis).
Highlights:
- Significantly higher job growth compared to the national average of 1.2% year-over-year.
- Positive outlook for continued job creation in 2024, driven by ongoing investments in the University of Kansas and local healthcare institutions.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Education and healthcare services: Increased demand for teachers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- Retail trade: Growth in online shopping and local businesses boosted employment.
- Professional and business services: Expansion in areas like finance, insurance, and real estate.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Manufacturing: Slight decline in some manufacturing sectors.
- Leisure and hospitality: Some job losses in restaurants and hotels, likely due to seasonal fluctuations.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Unemployment rate decreased by 0.2% compared to January 2023.
- Job growth was slightly higher in January 2023 (2.1%) but remains positive year-over-year.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Limited data available for month-to-month comparisons due to reporting schedules.
Future Outlook:
- Job growth is expected to continue in 2024, with sectors like education, healthcare, and professional services leading the way.
- The University of Kansas’s ongoing expansion and investments in local healthcare facilities are positive indicators for future job creation.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers and Applications Developers
- Personal Care Aides
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Physician Assistants
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
10 Companies Hiring Now (as of February 20, 2024):
- University of Kansas
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital
- Hallmark Cards
- Garmin
- The University of Kansas Health System
- City of Lawrence
- Douglas County Public Schools
- Free State Brewing Company
- Olathe Health
- The Merc Co-op
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