The January 2024 job report for Vancouver, WA paints a picture of a robust and expanding job market. With significant growth across various sectors, the city continues to experience a hiring spree.
Overview
Vancouver’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3.9% in January, mirroring the national average. This indicates a highly competitive job market with employers actively seeking qualified candidates. The report also highlighted a substantial increase in job postings compared to January 2023.
Highlights
- The January job report showed a significant increase in job postings across various industries, including healthcare, construction, and professional services.
- Compared to January 2023, job postings in Vancouver saw a surge of nearly 18%, indicating a strong year-over-year growth.
- The report also pointed towards a slight uptick in wages compared to December 2023.
What Industries and Occupations Grew
The healthcare sector emerged as a leader in job growth, with a particular demand for nurses, medical assistants, and home health aides. The construction industry also witnessed significant expansion, with a rise in job postings for carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. Additionally, professional services such as accounting, finance, and engineering saw a notable increase in hiring activity.
What Industries and Occupations Shrunk
The January job report did not reveal any major contraction in specific industries or occupations. However, some sectors, like retail and leisure & hospitality, might have experienced slower growth compared to others.
Compare to Same Month Last Year
Compared to January 2023, Vancouver’s job market has grown considerably. The unemployment rate has decreased by 0.7 percentage points, and job postings have surged by nearly 18%. This indicates a positive trend and a strengthening local economy.
Compare to Previous Month
The January job report showed a slight increase in job postings compared to December 2023. Wages also saw a modest uptick, suggesting a continuation of the positive momentum observed in the previous months.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for Vancouver’s job market appears promising. With ongoing economic expansion and a growing number of job openings, the city is expected to remain an attractive destination for job seekers.
10 Growing Occupations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) https://www.bls.gov/, the following occupations are projected to experience the most significant job growth in Vancouver, WA, and nationally:
- Registered Nurses
- Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Software Developers, Applications
- Database Administrators and Database Developers
- Physician Assistants
- Medical Assistants
- Construction Managers
- Electricians
10 Companies Hiring Now
- Legacy Salmon Company
- PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center
- Vancouver School District
- Clark College
- Crown Community Health
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Farmers Insurance
- Banner Bank
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- Columbia Credit Union
Cited Resources