Virginia Beach, VA – January 2024 Jobs Market Report – Steady Hiring Amidst National Fluctuations

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While the national unemployment rate ticked up slightly in December 2023, Virginia Beach’s jobs market exhibited continued stability in January 2024. This report dives into the details, analyzing industry trends, growth sectors, and hiring opportunities for job seekers.

Overview:

  • Virginia Beach’s unemployment rate remains lower than the national average, sitting at 2.9% in December 2023 (latest available data).
  • Job growth was flat compared to December 2023, with slight fluctuations across different sectors.
  • Hiring activity continues across various industries, offering opportunities for job seekers.

Highlights:

  • Leisure and hospitality saw the most significant job gains, reflecting the ongoing strength of Virginia Beach’s tourism industry.
  • Healthcare and professional and business services also added jobs, indicating growth in these key sectors.
  • Manufacturing and government experienced slight job losses, but the changes were minimal.

Industry and Occupation Growth:

  • Leisure and hospitality: Hotel clerks, servers, cooks, and amusement park attendants saw increased demand.
  • Healthcare: Registered nurses, physician assistants, and home health aides were in high demand.
  • Professional and business services: Customer service representatives, administrative assistants, and marketing specialists saw job growth.

Industry and Occupation Shrinkage:

  • Manufacturing: Production workers and machine operators experienced slight job losses.
  • Government: Administrative support and clerical positions saw minor declines.

Year-over-Year Comparison:

  • Virginia Beach’s unemployment rate is 0.1% lower than in January 2023.
  • Job growth remained steady compared to the same period last year.

Month-over-Month Comparison:

  • Overall job numbers remained flat between December 2023 and January 2024.
  • Some minor fluctuations occurred in specific industries and occupations.

Future Outlook:

  • The Virginia Beach job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months.
  • Growth is anticipated in tourism, healthcare, and professional services sectors.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurse
  2. Physician Assistant
  3. Customer Service Representative
  4. Software Developer
  5. Marketing Specialist
  6. Home Health Aide
  7. Teacher
  8. Truck Driver
  9. Warehouse Worker
  10. Construction Laborer

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Sentara Healthcare
  2. Navy Exchange Service Command
  3. City of Virginia Beach
  4. Dollar Tree
  5. TowneBank
  6. Cox Communications
  7. Target
  8. Walmart
  9. McDonald’s
  10. The Home Depot

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