The Tracy job market held firm in December 2023, adding jobs at a steady pace despite national economic concerns. While the rate of growth slowed slightly compared to previous months, the overall trend remains positive, suggesting continued resilience in the local economy.
Highlights:
- Job growth: Tracy added 150 jobs in December, bringing the unemployment rate down to 3.5%, one of the lowest in the state.
- Key sectors: Healthcare, logistics, and professional services continued to be the driving forces behind job creation.
- Wage gains: Average wages in Tracy increased by 2.5% year-over-year, outpacing national inflation.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare agencies added a combined 40 jobs, fueled by growing demand for medical services.
- Logistics: Warehousing and distribution companies added 35 jobs, benefiting from the continued boom in e-commerce.
- Professional services: Accounting, engineering, and legal firms added 20 jobs, reflecting the city’s growing business community.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Retail: Brick-and-mortar stores shed 10 jobs due to ongoing challenges in the retail sector.
- Leisure and hospitality: Restaurants and hotels lost 5 jobs, likely due to seasonal factors.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Tracy’s job growth in December 2023 was slightly slower than the 180 jobs added in December 2022.
- However, the unemployment rate remains significantly lower than the 4.2% recorded in December 2022.
Compare to Previous Month:
- December’s job growth was slightly lower than the 175 jobs added in November 2023.
- This suggests a possible slight moderation in the pace of job creation, but the overall trend remains positive.
Future Outlook:
The outlook for the Tracy job market remains cautiously optimistic. While national economic uncertainty could pose some challenges, the city’s strong local economy and key growth sectors are expected to continue driving job creation in the coming months.
10 Growing Occupations in Tracy (December 2023):
- Registered Nurses
- Warehouse Workers
- Truck Drivers
- Physician Assistants
- Software Developers
- Accountants
- Customer Service Representatives
- Marketing Specialists
- Construction Workers
- Teachers
10 Companies Hiring Now in Tracy (as of January 30, 2024):
- Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
- Amazon
- FedEx
- UPS
- City of Tracy
- Tracy Unified School District
- Lam Research
- Tesla
- Dell
- Walmart
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