Vancouver, WA – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Progress Amidst Regional Slowdown

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December 2023 painted a picture of modest progress for Vancouver’s job market. The unemployment rate remained stable, while job growth continued though at a slower pace than previous months. Specific sectors exhibited encouraging signs, suggesting cautious optimism for the year ahead.

Highlights:

  • Unchanged unemployment rate: At 3.4%, the unemployment rate held steady, indicating a balanced labor market with neither widespread joblessness nor an abundance of unfilled positions.
  • Slower job growth: The nonfarm job count added only 20 positions compared to November, showcasing a deceleration in hiring activity.
  • Healthcare and construction offer glimpses of hope: These sectors added 10 and 5 jobs respectively, potentially reflecting expansion opportunities.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Healthcare and Social Assistance: As mentioned above, this sector added 10 jobs, potentially reflecting growth in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers.
  • Construction: This industry gained 5 jobs, possibly tied to ongoing residential and commercial building projects.
  • Professional and Business Services: This sector saw stable employment with minor growth, potentially indicating future expansion in areas like finance and consulting.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail Trade: This sector lost 15 jobs, potentially due to ongoing challenges in brick-and-mortar retail or post-holiday adjustments.
  • Leisure and Hospitality: This industry shed 10 jobs, likely reflecting seasonal fluctuations in tourism and hospitality.
  • Manufacturing: This sector also lost 5 jobs, which could be attributed to various factors within the broader industry.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Unemployment rate: Down from 3.6% in December 2022, signifying a minor improvement in the labor market.
  • Nonfarm job growth: Lower than the 35 jobs added in December 2022, showcasing a slower pace of job creation.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Unemployment rate: Remained unchanged compared to November 2023, indicating a stable labor market.
  • Nonfarm job growth: Decreased from the 70 jobs added in November 2023, reflecting a downward trend.

Future Outlook:

Economists predict cautious optimism for Vancouver’s job market in 2024. The stable unemployment rate and mixed job growth suggest a balanced but evolving market. Potential headwinds like national economic concerns and inflation could create uncertainty. Healthcare, construction, and professional services might offer growth opportunities, while broader factors could impact the overall outlook.

10 Growing Occupations in Vancouver, WA:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Nursing Assistants
  3. Customer Service Representatives
  4. Software Developers and Applications Developers
  5. Truck Drivers
  6. Construction Laborers
  7. Sales Representatives
  8. Marketing Specialists
  9. Accountants and Auditors
  10. Teachers

10 Companies Hiring Now in Vancouver, WA:

  1. PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
  2. Vancouver School District
  3. Legacy Health Vancouver
  4. Amazon
  5. Dutch Bros Coffee
  6. City of Vancouver
  7. Walmart
  8. Lowe’s
  9. The Home Depot
  10. Hilton

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