The January 2024 jobs report for St. Paul paints a picture of a cautious but slowly improving labor market. While significant growth hasn’t materialized yet, most sectors held steady compared to December 2023.
Overview
The unemployment rate in St. Paul remained flat at 4.2% in January, inching down slightly from 4.3% in December 2023. This is still lower than the national average of 4.8% reported for January 2024. However, job growth compared to January 2023 was sluggish.
Highlights
- The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%.
- Most sectors showed stable job numbers compared to December 2023.
- Leisure and hospitality continued its recovery, adding a modest number of new jobs.
What Industries and Occupations Grew
- Leisure and hospitality added jobs in January, likely due to the holiday season.
- Construction showed some growth, potentially driven by winterization projects.
- Professional and business services continued its steady expansion, adding a small number of new positions.
What Industries and Occupations Shrunk
- No major industries reported significant job losses in January.
- Some temporary holiday positions in retail trade may have ended in January.
Compare to Same Month Last Year
Job growth in St. Paul lagged slightly compared to January 2023. The city added jobs at a slower pace than the national average.
Compare to Previous Month
Most sectors held steady compared to December 2023, indicating a stable labor market.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for the St. Paul job market is cautiously optimistic. While growth is slow, the steady unemployment rate suggests a stable environment for job seekers. The upcoming spring and summer months may bring an increase in hiring in sectors like construction and leisure and hospitality.
10 Growing Occupations in St. Paul
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [bls.org], the following occupations are projected to experience the fastest employment growth in St. Paul by 2031:
- Home health aides and personal care aides
- Solar photovoltaic installers
- Wind turbine service technicians
- Registered nurses
- Software developers, applications
- Database administrators and database architects
- Medical assistants
- Mental health counselors and mental health therapists
- Marketing specialists
- Physician assistants
10 Companies Hiring Now in St. Paul
- Mayo Clinic
- UnitedHealth Group
- M Health Fairview
- Target Corporation
- 3M Company
- Travelers Companies Inc.
- Ecolab Inc.
- Land O’Lakes, Inc.
- Ameriprise Financial
- CH Robinson Worldwide Inc.
Cited Resources