The Raleigh job market entered 2024 with continued momentum, adding 5,872 new jobs in January. This represents a 2.1% increase compared to December 2023 and brings the unemployment rate down to 3.5%. However, the report also reveals subtle shifts in industry trends, suggesting a dynamic and evolving landscape.
Highlights:
- Professional and business services (up 3.2%) and education and health services (up 2.8%) remain the leading job creators, reflecting Raleigh’s growing hub status in these sectors.
- Construction (up 4.1%) witnessed a significant uptick, indicating continued investment in infrastructure and development.
- Leisure and hospitality (down 1.7%) saw a slight decline, possibly due to seasonal fluctuations.
Industry and Occupation Growth:
- Fastest-growing occupations: Software Developers, Registered Nurses, Marketing Specialists, Financial Analysts, Customer Service Representatives (Source: NC Department of Commerce)
- Notable industry gains: Information technology, healthcare, construction, professional services
Industry and Occupation Shrinkage:
- Largest declines: Retail Salespersons, Cashiers, Food Preparation and Serving Workers (Source: NC Department of Commerce)
- Industries experiencing contraction: Retail trade, transportation and warehousing
Comparison to Same Month Last Year:
- Job growth in January 2024 mirrored the pace of January 2023, suggesting a stable market.
- However, specific industry trends differed, with information technology and healthcare showcasing stronger growth in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Comparison to Previous Month:
- January 2024 saw a slight deceleration in job creation compared to December 2023, which added 6,245 positions.
- This could be attributed to seasonal adjustments or short-term market fluctuations.
Future Outlook:
While experts predict 2024 to be a year of cautious hiring strategies nationwide, Raleigh’s robust tech sector and growing population are expected to fuel continued job opportunities. The increasing focus on innovation and knowledge-based industries positions the city well for future economic expansion.
10 Growing Occupations in Raleigh, NC (January 2024):
- Software Developers
- Registered Nurses
- Marketing Specialists
- Financial Analysts
- Customer Service Representatives
- Physician Assistants
- Sales Representatives
- Management Analysts
- Operations Managers
- Accountants
10 Companies Hiring Now in Raleigh, NC:
- IBM
- Lenovo
- Capital One
- RTI International
- Blue Cross NC
- Duke University Health System
- WakeMed
- Bandwidth
- Epic Games
- Red Hat
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