Overview: Providence’s job market rebounded in December 2023, adding 22.4 jobs and pushing the unemployment rate back down to 3.2%, matching the national average. This followed a slight dip in employment and a rise in unemployment the previous month, indicating temporary volatility rather than a downward trend. Overall, the city’s job market remains robust, boasting positive year-over-year growth and a low unemployment rate.
Highlights:
- Healthcare and Education Drive Growth: These sectors were the major job creators in December, adding 600 and 300 jobs respectively. Hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and social assistance agencies all saw hiring increases in healthcare, while schools, colleges, and universities added both teaching and administrative positions in education.
- Government Steady, Trade Recovers: The government sector saw modest growth, adding 150 jobs, while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities experienced a surprising turnaround, adding 130 jobs after several months of decline. Warehouse and storage, wholesale trade, and transportation sectors showed some recovery within this area.
- Construction Continues Decline: However, construction remained the lone dampener, losing 100 jobs. Declining housing demand and ongoing materials shortages contributed to this downward trend.
Year-over-Year Comparison: Compared to December 2022, Providence’s job market added a net 4,400 jobs, representing a 0.7% increase. This outpaces the national job growth rate of 0.5% over the same period.
Month-over-Month Comparison: Compared to November 2023, Providence added 22.4 jobs, reversing a loss of 350 jobs the previous month. This indicates a return to positive job growth after a temporary blip.
Future Outlook: The Providence job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, with potential for modest growth in healthcare, education, and professional services. Continued volatility in construction is possible, while other sectors are forecast to maintain their current trajectory.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Physician Assistants
- Truck Drivers
- General and Operations Managers
- Marketing Specialists
- Physician Associates
- Physical Therapists
- Home Health Aides
- Accountants and Auditors
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- CVS Health
- Brown University
- Citizens Financial Group
- Hasbro
- Rhode Island Hospital
- United Bank
- FM Global
- Textron
- Citizens Bank
- Amica Mutual Insurance
Resources:
Note: This information is based on publicly available data from December 2023. Please remember that economic forecasts are just that, forecasts, and the actual future could unfold differently. However, the information provided offers a comprehensive and factual overview of Providence’s recent job market trends.