The Plano job market showed continued, albeit slower, growth in December 2023, defying national trends of a cooling economy. While the report revealed a slight deceleration compared to previous months, overall hiring remained positive, offering encouraging prospects for job seekers in the area.
Highlights:
- Job growth: Plano added 1,250 new jobs in December, representing a 0.4% increase in total employment. This marks a slight slowdown from November’s 0.8% growth but remains above the national average of 0.2%.
- Unemployment rate: Plano’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.1%, significantly lower than the national average of 3.5%. This indicates a tight labor market with ample job opportunities for qualified candidates.
Industry and Occupation Trends:
- Industries with the most growth: Professional and business services (1.2% growth), followed by education and health services (0.8%) and leisure and hospitality (0.7%).
- Industries with the most decline: Information technology (-0.2%) and manufacturing (-0.1%). However, these declines were minor and likely represent industry adjustments rather than a broader economic downturn.
- Fastest-growing occupations: Registered nurses (5.2% growth), software developers and applications developers (4.8%), and marketing specialists (4.5%).
- Occupations with the most decline: Financial analysts (-2.5%), customer service representatives (-1.8%), and accountants and auditors (-1.3%). These declines may be attributed to automation and technology adoption in these fields.
Comparison to Previous Periods:
- Compared to December 2022: Plano’s job growth in December 2023 was slightly slower (0.4% vs. 0.6%). However, the unemployment rate remained lower (3.1% vs. 3.2%).
- Compared to November 2023: The December report showed a decline in the pace of job growth (0.4% vs. 0.8%) and a slight increase in the unemployment rate (3.1% vs. 3.0%).
Future Outlook:
While national economic forecasts predict a potential slowdown in 2024, Plano’s strong job market fundamentals and diverse economy suggest continued growth, albeit at a more moderate pace.
10 Growing Occupations in Plano:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers and Applications Developers
- Marketing Specialists
- Physician Assistants
- Financial Managers
- Sales Representatives
- Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
- Management Analysts
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Teachers
10 Companies Hiring Now in Plano:
- Texas Instruments
- JPMorgan Chase
- Toyota Motor North America
- PepsiCo
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Fidelity Investments
- Frito-Lay
- Raytheon Technologies
- Capital One
- Bank of America
Resources: