Pasco’s job market held steady in December 2023, navigating national economic uncertainties with modest overall job gains. While not as vigorous as earlier months, the positive trajectory offers optimism for job seekers in the Tri-Cities area.
Highlights:
- Nonfarm wage and salary employment increased for the 12th consecutive month, reaching 128,600, a 2.6% increase from the previous year.
- Growth slowed compared to previous months, with November 2023 showing a 3.3% year-over-year increase.
- Healthcare and professional & business services led the expansion, adding jobs at a faster pace than the national average.
- The leisure & hospitality sector continued its recovery, nearing pre-pandemic employment levels.
- Construction showed minor contraction, potentially reflecting national trends in the industry.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Healthcare: Added 300 jobs, primarily in nursing and administrative roles.
- Professional & business services: Gained 220 positions, driven by growth in accounting, legal, and engineering fields.
- Leisure & hospitality: Increased by 180 jobs, with restaurants and hotels leading the charge.
- Transportation & warehousing: Saw a modest uptick of 120 jobs, fueled by logistics and trucking activity.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Construction: Shed 80 jobs, mainly in specialty trades like carpentry and plumbing.
- Manufacturing: Saw a minor decline of 50 jobs, concentrated in food processing and fabrication.
- Public administration: Reduced workforce by 30 positions, largely in administrative and support roles.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Overall job growth in December 2023 outpaced that of December 2022 (2.6% vs. 1.8%).
- Healthcare, professional & business services, and transportation & warehousing sectors added significantly more jobs year-over-year.
- Leisure & hospitality saw a strong rebound compared to the pandemic-impacted 2022 numbers.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Growth slowed down from November 2023’s 3.3% year-over-year increase.
- All major sectors except leisure & hospitality showed slower job gains compared to the previous month.
Future Outlook:
- The long-term outlook for Pasco’s job market remains positive, fueled by its strategic location, diverse economy, and growing healthcare and logistics industries.
- However, national economic uncertainties, including possible interest rate hikes, could dampen growth in the coming months.
10 Growing Occupations in Pasco (December 2023):
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Truck Drivers
- Physician Assistants
- Accountants and Auditors
- Customer Service Representatives
- General Laborers
- Marketing Specialists
- Construction Laborers
- Retail Salespersons
10 Companies Hiring Now in Pasco (December 2023):
- Lourdes Health
- Amazon
- ConAgra Foods
- Lamb Weston
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center
- GE Aviation
- Pasco School District
- City of Pasco
- Port of Pasco
- Columbia Banking
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