Whittier’s December 2023 job market held steady amidst the traditional holiday hiring lull, showcasing resilience and potential for the coming year. While job growth wasn’t as robust as previous months, the unemployment rate remained low, and key sectors like healthcare and technology continued to expand.
Highlights:
- The unemployment rate held at 3.5%, unchanged from November 2023 and remaining below the national average.
- Job growth slowed to 0.2%, adding 120 new jobs to the local economy.
- Professional and business services, along with healthcare and social assistance, were the leading job creators.
- Leisure and hospitality, and retail trade saw slight job losses, likely reflecting the post-holiday slowdown.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Professional and business services: Added 45 jobs, with gains in accounting, management consulting, and legal services.
- Healthcare and social assistance: Increased by 30 jobs, driven by demand for nurses, home health aides, and therapists.
- Education: Added 20 jobs, primarily in teacher positions for K-12 schools and higher education institutions.
What Industries and Occupations Shrank:
- Leisure and hospitality: Lost 25 jobs, mainly in restaurants and hotels as holiday season festivities subsided.
- Retail trade: Declined by 15 jobs, with temporary holiday positions ending and some ongoing store closures.
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Compared to December 2022, Whittier’s job market grew at a slightly slower pace. The unemployment rate was 0.1% lower year-over-year, while job growth was 0.5% points lower.
Compare to Previous Month:
- December’s job growth was less than the 0.7% increase recorded in November 2023, reflecting the typical seasonal slowdown in hiring.
Future Outlook:
The Whittier job market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, with potential for growth in healthcare, technology, and education sectors. However, economic uncertainties and potential interest rate hikes could moderate hiring activity in other industries.
10 Growing Occupations in Whittier:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Physician Assistants
- General and Operations Managers
- Marketing Specialists
- Customer Service Representatives
- Teachers, Elementary and Middle School
- Truck Drivers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Home Health Aides
10 Companies Hiring Now in Whittier:
- PIH Health Whittier Hospital
- Whittier College
- Whittier City School District
- Amazon Fulfillment Center
- Wells Fargo Bank
- Home Depot
- Kaiser Permanente
- Edwards Lifesciences
- Whittier Police Department
- Whittier Union High School District
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