Springdale, AR – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Growth Amidst National Slowdown

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Springdale’s job market maintained a steady pace in December 2023, defying the national trend of decelerating employment growth. The unemployment rate dipped to 2.3%, marking a new low for the year and showcasing the city’s continued economic resilience.

Highlights:

  • Nonfarm employment: Added 182 jobs in December, bringing the total to 313,300. This represents a 3.4% increase compared to December 2022.
  • Unemployment rate: Decreased from 2.5% in November to 2.3% in December, the lowest level since January 2023.
  • Labor force participation: Remained steady at 64.1%, indicating continued engagement in the workforce.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Mining, logging, and construction: Added 30 jobs, with a 13.1% year-over-year increase, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and residential construction.
  • Trade, transportation, and utilities: Gained 3 jobs, holding steady compared to the previous year.
  • Professional and business services: Added 20 jobs, reflecting continued demand for skilled professionals in sectors like accounting, finance, and management.

What Industries and Occupations Shrunk:

  • Manufacturing: Lost 2 jobs, although the sector remained relatively stable compared to the national decline.
  • Information: No change in employment.
  • Leisure and hospitality: Added 10 jobs, but the sector still faces challenges in recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Springdale’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points lower than December 2022 (2.5%).
  • Nonfarm employment increased by 3.4% year-over-year, outperforming the national growth rate of 1.8%.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • The December unemployment rate remained unchanged compared to November 2023.
  • Nonfarm employment increased slightly (0.2%) from November to December.

Future Outlook:

The Springdale job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, supported by ongoing investments in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. However, potential national economic headwinds could impact local hiring trends.

10 Growing Occupations (December 2023 compared to December 2022):

  1. Construction laborers
  2. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
  3. Registered nurses
  4. Retail salespersons
  5. General and operations managers
  6. Transportation and logistics specialists
  7. Physician assistants
  8. Electricians
  9. Customer service representatives
  10. Warehouse laborers

10 Companies Hiring Now (according to Indeed.com as of January 30, 2024):

  1. Tyson Foods
  2. Walmart
  3. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
  4. Mercy Health System
  5. Pinnacle Bank
  6. Simmons Foodservice
  7. Northwest Arkansas Community College
  8. The Home Depot
  9. Springdale Public Schools
  10. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

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