Philadelphia, PA – December 2023 Jobs Report – City of Brotherly Love Sees Steady Growth with Seasonal Fluctuations

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Overview: Philadelphia’s December 2023 jobs report showcases modest job growth amidst holiday seasonality, coupled with the city’s lowest recorded unemployment rate. While some industries experienced temporary dips, others added jobs, indicating a positive outlook for 2024.

Highlights:

  • Unemployment rate: 3.7%, the lowest on record for Philadelphia City/County.
  • Job gains: Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Leisure & Hospitality, Professional & Business Services, and Government sectors added jobs in December.
  • Year-over-year growth: Positive employment growth reported in most industries compared to December 2022.

Industries and Occupations that Grew:

  • Trade, Transportation & Utilities: This sector added the most jobs, likely due to holiday shopping activity and logistics demand.
  • Leisure & Hospitality: Restaurants, hotels, and tourism-related businesses saw a seasonal uptick.
  • Professional & Business Services: This broad sector includes healthcare, education, and legal services, all of which added jobs in December.
  • Government: Public sector employment held steady.

Industries and Occupations that Shrunk:

  • Construction: This industry typically experiences a slowdown during winter months.
  • Manufacturing: Job losses in this sector were minimal.
  • Other Services: This includes industries like personal care and laundry services, which may have seen reduced demand during the holidays.

Comparison to Same Month Last Year:

  • Overall employment: Up 2.6% compared to December 2022.
  • Unemployment rate: Down from 4.3% in December 2022.

Comparison to Previous Month:

  • Overall employment: Down 0.8% from November 2023.
  • Unemployment rate: Down from 3.9% in November 2023.

Future Outlook:

Philadelphia’s economy exhibits continued growth potential in 2024, with job opportunities across various sectors. Here are 10 occupations projected for significant growth:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Software Developers
  3. Home Health Aides
  4. Wind Turbine Service Technicians
  5. Personal Care Aides
  6. Physician Assistants
  7. Sales Representatives
  8. Customer Service Representatives
  9. Marketing Specialists
  10. Tractor-Trailer

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Independence Blue Cross
  2. Comcast Corporation
  3. Temple University
  4. Drexel University
  5. Aramark
  6. Jefferson Health
  7. Pennsylvania Hospital
  8. SEPTA
  9. City of Philadelphia
  10. AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania

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