Trenton, NJ – January 2024 Jobs Report: Modest Growth Continues

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Trenton’s job market maintained its upward trajectory in January 2024, adding an estimated 1,100 nonfarm jobs. This represents a 0.5% increase over December 2023 and brings the total employment level to 215,600 [1]. Compared to January 2023, employment grew by 2.4%, suggesting a steady, if unspectacular, pace of recovery.

Highlights:

  • Education and health services remained the leading job creator, adding 400 positions in January.
  • Construction also saw significant growth, with 300 new jobs.
  • Unemployment remained stable at 4.7%, indicating a tight labor market
  • Challenges persist, with small businesses reporting difficulty filling open positions due to labor quality concerns

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Education and health services: Growth in this sector was driven by hiring in hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and social assistance providers.
  • Construction: Residential and commercial construction projects fueled job gains in this industry.
  • Leisure and hospitality: Restaurants and hotels added positions as consumer spending on travel and dining increased.
  • Professional and business services: Legal services, scientific and technical consulting firms saw modest job growth.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail trade: This sector shed 100 jobs, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar stores.
  • Financial activities: Employment in this industry remained flat.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Compared to January 2023, Trenton’s job market added 5,200 positions, representing a 2.4% growth rate.
  • All major industry sectors except retail trade experienced job gains over the year.
  • The unemployment rate in January 2024 was 0.8 percentage points lower than in January 2023.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job growth in January 2024 (1,100) was slightly lower than in December 2023 (1,400).
  • Education and health services added fewer jobs in January compared to December, while construction saw stronger growth.

Future Outlook:

  • The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development projects continued job growth in 2024, with education and health services, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality industries leading the way
  • However, labor shortages and rising costs remain concerns for businesses, potentially impacting hiring plans.

10 Growing Occupations in Trenton (May 2022):

  1. Registered nurses
  2. Home health aides and personal care aides
  3. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts
  4. Elementary and middle school teachers
  5. Janitors and cleaners
  6. Customer service representatives
  7. Truck drivers and heavy vehicle operators
  8. Chefs and cooks
  9. Sales representatives
  10. Marketing specialists 

10 Companies Hiring Now in Trenton (as of February 20, 2024):

  1. Capital Health
  2. The College of New Jersey
  3. NJM Insurance Group
  4. Roma Bank
  5. Bristol-Myers Squibb
  6. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
  7. The State of New Jersey
  8. City of Trenton
  9. Mercer County
  10. Lourdes Health System

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