Lawton, OK – December 2023 Jobs Report – Holding Steady Amidst National Growth

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Lawton’s December 2023 jobs report painted a picture of stability amidst a backdrop of national job gains. While the city didn’t experience significant job growth last month, it maintained a relatively low unemployment rate and showcased resilience compared to some national trends.

Highlights:

  • Unemployment Rate: Lawton’s unemployment rate ticked down to 3.9% in December, marking a slight improvement from 4.2% the previous month and remaining below the national average of 3.7%. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Nonfarm Wage and Salary Employment: Overall nonfarm employment held steady at 43,800 jobs, unchanged from November. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Private Sector: Private-sector employment saw a modest increase of 100 jobs, suggesting continued, albeit gradual, expansion. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: This sector added 100 jobs, driven by modest gains in transportation and warehousing. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Professional and Business Services: Professional, scientific, and technical services saw an uptick of 50 jobs, indicating continued demand for skilled labor in these fields. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Government: Public sector employment dipped by 100 jobs, primarily in local government. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector remained flat, holding steady at 4,000 jobs. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Compared to December 2022, Lawton’s overall nonfarm employment grew by 500 jobs, reflecting a 1.2% increase. This surpasses the national job growth rate of 1.0% for the same period. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • The unemployment rate in December 2023 remained unchanged compared to December 2022, highlighting the city’s relative stability in the labor market. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Compare to Previous Month:

  • December’s job report showed no change in nonfarm employment compared to November 2023, indicating a period of relative stability after a slight dip in the previous month. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • The unemployment rate improved slightly from 4.2% in November to 3.9% in December, suggesting a positive trend in labor market conditions. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Future Outlook:

Lawton’s job market is expected to continue its gradual growth in 2024, potentially fueled by ongoing expansions in healthcare, professional services, and trade sectors. However, factors like national economic trends and potential changes in government spending could impact the pace of job creation.

10 Growing Occupations in Lawton (Projections 2023-2033):

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Personal Care Aides
  3. General and Operations Managers
  4. Physician Assistants
  5. Truck Drivers
  6. Construction Laborers
  7. Medical Assistants
  8. Software Developers
  9. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
  10. Physical Therapists

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

10 Companies Hiring Now in Lawton:

  1. Comanche County Memorial Hospital
  2. Fort Sill
  3. Cameron University
  4. Walmart
  5. Lowe’s
  6. Amazon
  7. American Airlines
  8. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
  9. McLane Company
  10. CEVA Logistics

(Source: Indeed.com)

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