Overview: San Antonio’s December 2023 jobs report paints a mixed picture, with overall employment down slightly from November but unemployment at a record low. While some industries experienced seasonal declines, others added jobs, contributing to a positive annual outlook.
Highlights:
- Unemployment rate: 3.1%, the lowest ever recorded for the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
- Job gains: Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Leisure & Hospitality, Professional & Business Services, Government, and Financial Activities sectors added jobs in December.
- Annual growth: Most industries saw positive year-over-year employment growth.
Industries and Occupations that Grew:
- Trade, Transportation & Utilities: This sector added the most jobs in December, likely due to holiday shopping activity.
- Leisure & Hospitality: Restaurants, hotels, and other 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 remained stable.
Industries and Occupations that Shrunk:
- Construction: This industry typically experiences a slowdown during the winter months.
- Manufacturing: Job losses in this sector were relatively small.
- Other Services: This includes a variety of industries, such as personal care and laundry services, which may have seen decreased demand during the holidays.
Comparison to Same Month Last Year:
- Overall employment: Up 2.0% compared to December 2022.
- Unemployment rate: Down from 3.5% in December 2022.
Comparison to Previous Month:
- Overall employment: Down 0.6% from November 2023.
- Unemployment rate: Down from 3.2% in November 2023.
Future Outlook:
The San Antonio economy is expected to continue growing in 2024, with job opportunities available in a variety of sectors. Here are 10 occupations projected to see the highest growth in the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA:
- Personal Care Aides
- Registered Nurses
- Home Health Aides
- Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts
- Wholesale
- Physician Assistants
- Sales Representatives
- Truck Drivers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Marketing Specialists
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- USAA
- H-E-B
- Valero Energy Corporation
- City of San Antonio
- Baptist Health System
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- South Texas Blood
- CPS Energy
- Frost Bank
- NXP Semiconductors
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