Newark, NJ – December 2023 Jobs Report – A City on the Rise with Continued Job Growth

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December 2023 marked another month of job gains for Newark, NJ, solidifying the city’s improving economic landscape. The unemployment rate dipped to 7.3%, indicating a steady decline from the previous year’s 5.0%. While challenges remain, Newark’s job market continues to show positive momentum.

Highlights:

  • Unemployment rate: 7.3% (down from 6.9% in November 2023)
  • Job growth: Added 2,500 jobs since November 2023
  • Industries leading the charge: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities; professional and business services; educational services

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Transportation, warehousing, and utilities: This sector added the most jobs in December, driven by the growing logistics and distribution industry in the region.
  • Professional and business services: This broad category encompasses various areas like accounting, marketing, and consulting, all experiencing steady growth.
  • Educational services: The education sector, including both public and private institutions, saw notable job creation in December.
  • Fast-growing occupations: Registered nurses, software developers, customer service representatives, truck drivers, and financial analysts.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Leisure and hospitality: This industry witnessed a slight decline in jobs, likely due to seasonal fluctuations.
  • Retail trade: Similar to leisure and hospitality, retail saw a small job decrease, potentially influenced by holiday hiring adjustments.
  • Declining occupations: Cashiers, retail salespersons, food preparation workers, and office administrative assistants.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Unemployment rate: Down significantly from 5.0% in December 2022, reflecting a 46% improvement.
  • Job growth: Positive compared to December 2022, but the pace of growth has slowed slightly.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Unemployment rate: Increased slightly from 6.9% in November 2023.
  • Job growth: December saw a notable uptick in job creation compared to November.

Future Outlook:

The future of Newark’s job market appears cautiously optimistic. Continued investments in infrastructure, innovation, and talent development are expected to fuel further job growth. However, factors like inflation and potential economic headwinds could pose challenges.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers and Applications Developers
  3. Customer Service Representatives
  4. Truck Drivers and Heavy Vehicle Drivers
  5. Financial Analysts
  6. Marketing Specialists
  7. Physician Assistants
  8. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
  9. General and Operations Managers
  10. Accountants and Auditors

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Prudential Financial
  2. Panasonic Avionics Corporation
  3. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
  4. Hackensack Meridian Health
  5. Audible
  6. PSEG
  7. City of Newark
  8. FedEx
  9. Amazon
  10. Goya Foods

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