Toledo, OH – December 2023 Jobs Report – Signs of Resilience Amidst National Slowdown

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December 2023 marked the closing chapter of a solid hiring year for Toledo, despite experiencing a slight cooling compared to previous months. While the national job market showed signs of moderation, Toledo bucked the trend with modest job growth and a dip in unemployment.

Highlights:

  • Employment: Total employment ticked down to 282,200, a decrease of 2,200 jobs from November 2023 but still exceeding December 2022 levels. (Source: BLS)
  • Unemployment: The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, the lowest recorded for December in the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) since the data series began in 2000. (Source: BLS)
  • Seasonality: Compared to the previous month, the decline in employment is likely due to seasonal fluctuations common in December.

Industry and Occupation Shifts:

  • Growth: The Professional & Business Services sector added the most jobs (1,800), followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities (1,100). Within occupations, Registered Nurses continued to see high demand, along with Software Developers and Customer Service Representatives. (Source: BLS)
  • Shrinkage: The Manufacturing sector lost 1,700 jobs, primarily concentrated in the automobile industry. Despite the setback, manufacturing remains a dominant force in Toledo’s economy. (Source: BLS)

Year-over-Year Comparison:

  • Employment: Compared to December 2022, Toledo’s job market added 8,300 positions, demonstrating resilience despite national concerns about a slowdown. (Source: BLS)
  • Unemployment: The unemployment rate dropped from 4.5% in December 2022 to 3.5% in December 2023, indicating a tighter labor market. (Source: BLS)

Month-over-Month Comparison:

  • Employment: December 2023 saw a decrease of 2,200 jobs compared to November 2023, likely due to seasonal factors. (Source: BLS)
  • Unemployment: The unemployment rate fell slightly from 3.7% in November 2023 to 3.5% in December 2023. (Source: BLS)

Future Outlook:

Experts predict continued moderation in hiring for 2024, with Toledo potentially mirroring national trends. However, the city’s diverse economy and ongoing infrastructure projects could provide some buffer against a national slowdown.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurse
  2. Software Developer
  3. Customer Service Representative
  4. Home Health Aide
  5. Sales Representative
  6. Truck Driver
  7. Physical Therapist
  8. Personal Care Aide
  9. Elementary School Teacher
  10. Medical Assistant

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Owens Corning (Construction Materials)
  2. Mercy Health (Healthcare)
  3. University of Toledo (Education)
  4. Dana Incorporated (Automotive Parts)
  5. SSOE Group (Engineering)
  6. ProMedica (Healthcare)
  7. SSO (Information Technology)
  8. The Andersons (Agriculture)
  9. Fifth Third Bank (Financial Services)
  10. Libbey Glass (Manufacturing)

Please note: This information is based on publicly available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and may not be completely comprehensive. Additional research is recommended for specific job openings and company hiring practices.

Data Sources: