December 2023 saw Vallejo’s job market exhibit cautious optimism, with modest gains following a sluggish fall. While not booming, the report indicates a stabilizing trend compared to previous months and offers promising signs for the future.
Highlights:
- Total employment: 142,900 jobs, a gain of 600 from November according to the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey.
- Unemployment rate: 5.2%, remaining steady compared to November (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Job growth: Primarily driven by the Services sector, particularly Leisure & Hospitality and Education & Health Services.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Leisure and Hospitality: Added 300 jobs, potentially reflecting holiday hiring and increased tourism activity.
- Education & Health Services: Gained 200 jobs, driven by healthcare positions and educational institutions.
- Professional & Business Services: Saw a slight increase of 100 jobs, indicating potential growth in areas like management and consulting.
- Fastest-growing occupations: Registered Nurses, Home Health Aides, Personal Care Aides, Software Developers, and Customer Service Representatives (Department of Numbers).
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Government: Lost 100 jobs, primarily in local administration and public education.
- Retail Trade: Declined by 50 jobs, possibly due to post-holiday season adjustments.
- Manufacturing: Remained flat, with no significant changes in December.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Vallejo’s December 2023 employment level is down slightly (0.7%) compared to December 2022.
- However, the unemployment rate has improved, dropping from 5.7% to 5.2% year-on-year.
Compare to Previous Month:
- Job growth in December (0.4%) was slightly higher than in November (0.3%).
- The unemployment rate remained stable compared to November.
Future Outlook:
While Vallejo’s job market faces challenges, experts predict continued recovery in 2024. Growth is expected in sectors like healthcare, technology, and professional services. The Vallejo Economic Development Corporation emphasizes attracting new businesses and fostering entrepreneurship to further boost the local economy.
10 Growing Occupations:
- Registered Nurses
- Home Health Aides
- Personal Care Aides
- Software Developers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Truck Drivers
- Sales Representatives
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Physical Therapist Assistants
10 Companies Hiring Now:
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard
- Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center
- Solano Community College
- City of Vallejo
- Napa Valley Unified School District
- The Home Depot
- Safeway
- Amazon
- CVS Health
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