Sacramento, CA – January 2024 Jobs Market Report – Solid Growth Despite Headwinds

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Sacramento’s job market kicked off 2024 with steady expansion, adding 5,900 jobs in January. This represents a 0.9% increase over December 2023 and positions the city well for continued economic advancement. While national anxieties about inflation and recession linger, Sacramento’s local economy demonstrates resilience and diverse growth.

Highlights:

  • Professional & Business Services led the charge, adding 2,100 jobs, followed by Leisure & Hospitality with 1,200 new positions.
  • Government added 800 jobs, indicating continued stability in the public sector.
  • Unemployment remained low at 4.3%, suggesting a healthy balance between job seekers and available positions.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional & Business Services: Notably, management occupations (1,000 jobs) and computer & mathematical occupations (500 jobs) saw significant growth.
  • Leisure & Hospitality: This sector witnessed an increase in food preparation & serving related occupations (800 jobs).
  • Government: Growth was concentrated in education, training & library occupations (500 jobs).

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Construction: The industry shed 200 jobs, potentially indicating a slight slowdown in building activity.
  • Financial Activities: This sector saw a loss of 100 jobs, primarily in insurance occupations.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Job growth in January 2024 outpaced January 2023 by 0.2 percentage points, suggesting a modest acceleration in the local economy.
  • Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality remained the top growth sectors year-over-year.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Compared to December 2023, job growth remained consistent, indicating stability in the local economy.
  • Government added fewer jobs in January, while Professional & Business Services showed stronger growth compared to the previous month.

Future Outlook:

While national economic concerns persist, Sacramento’s diversified economy positions it well for continued job creation. The city’s growing tech sector, coupled with its strong healthcare and government institutions, is expected to sustain economic momentum. However, rising interest rates and inflation remain potential risks to watch.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Software Developers & Applications
  2. Registered Nurses
  3. Customer Service Representatives
  4. Sales Representatives
  5. Marketing Specialists
  6. Accountants & Auditors
  7. Truck Drivers & Heavy Vehicle Operators
  8. Construction Laborers
  9. Chefs & Cooks
  10. Elementary & Middle School Teachers

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Kaiser Permanente
  2. SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)
  3. Mercy Medical Group
  4. Sacramento City Unified School District
  5. Aerojet Rocketdyne
  6. Sutter Health
  7. California Northstate University, Sacramento
  8. The Sacramento Bee
  9. Raley’s Supermarkets
  10. McClatchy Company

Sources: