Tuscaloosa, AL – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Growth Persists

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The Tuscaloosa job market showed continued stability in December 2023, with the unemployment rate remaining steady at 2.6%, matching the statewide average [1]. This stability comes amidst national reports of a softening labor market [2]. Let’s dive deeper into the details:

Overview:

  • The Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added 1,200 new jobs in December, bringing the total to 145,200 [1].
  • This represents a 0.8% increase from November and a 4.5% increase year-over-year [1].
  • Several industries, including Professional & Business Services, Education & Health Services, and Leisure & Hospitality, experienced job growth [1].

Highlights:

  • The December jobs report marked the 22nd consecutive month of job growth in Tuscaloosa [1].
  • The unemployment rate remained steady at 2.6%, indicating a tight labor market [1].
  • Wages continued to rise, with the average weekly wage reaching $989, a 4.3% increase year-over-year [1].

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional & Business Services: This sector added 400 jobs, driven by growth in areas like computer systems design and management [1].
  • Education & Health Services: This sector added 300 jobs, with growth in healthcare support occupations and social assistance [1].
  • Leisure & Hospitality: This sector added 200 jobs, fueled by the holiday season and increased tourism [1].

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Tuscaloosa’s job growth outpaced the national average of 4.2% year-over-year [2].
  • The unemployment rate remained lower than the national average of 3.5% [2].
  • Average wages in Tuscaloosa grew faster than the national average of 4.1% [2].

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job growth in December was slightly slower than the 1.4% increase seen in November [1].
  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged from November [1].
  • Average wages continued to rise slightly from the previous month [1].

Future Outlook:

  • The future outlook for the Tuscaloosa job market appears positive. The December jobs report indicates continued economic growth and stability.
  • However, some national economic headwinds, such as rising interest rates, could dampen job growth in the coming months [2].

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
  3. Physician Assistants
  4. Software Developers and Applications Developers
  5. Truck Drivers
  6. Sales Representatives
  7. Customer Service Representatives
  8. Elementary School Teachers
  9. Special Education Teachers
  10. Marketing Specialists

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. DCH Regional Medical Center
  2. University of Alabama
  3. Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc.
  4. Bryce Hospital
  5. City of Tuscaloosa
  6. The Tuscaloosa News
  7. Sterne Agee Financial Corp.
  8. Amerex Corporation
  9. Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.
  10. Bruno’s Food & Pharmacy

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