Yakima, WA – January 2024 Jobs Report: Positive Momentum Persists in Agriculture and Healthcare

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Yakima’s job market maintained its upward trajectory in January 2024, mirroring national trends of economic recovery. While specific unemployment data for Yakima isn’t available until February, broader indicators suggest continued growth. Zippia estimates the unemployment rate at 4.6%, down from 5.1% in January 2023. Job postings surged, with ZipRecruiter listing over 300K open positions, a significant increase from January 2023.

Highlights:

  • Job postings: Increased significantly compared to January 2023 and December 2023.
  • Unemployment rate: Estimated to be at 4.6%, a decrease from the previous year.
  • Key growth sectors: Agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and government.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Agriculture: Fruit packing, harvesting, and farm management roles saw a surge due to the ongoing harvest season.
  • Healthcare: Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and home health aides were in high demand.
  • Transportation: CDL-A truck drivers, particularly for flatbed and regional routes, were actively sought after.
  • Government: The City of Yakima and Yakima County listed several openings, including project engineers and community managers.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Retail: While some seasonal hiring occurred, overall job postings in retail dipped slightly compared to December 2023` .
  • Hospitality: Similar to retail, hospitality jobs saw a modest decline after the holiday season.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Job postings are significantly higher than January 2023, indicating a stronger job market.
  • The estimated unemployment rate is lower than January 2023, suggesting improved job opportunities.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Job postings remained stable or increased slightly compared to December 2023.
  • No significant changes in unemployment rate estimates were reported.

Future Outlook:

The Yakima job market is expected to maintain its positive momentum in the coming months. The agricultural sector is anticipated to remain strong, and healthcare demand is projected to continue rising. Additionally, infrastructure projects and government initiatives could create further job opportunities.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurse
  2. Software Developer
  3. Truck Driver
  4. Customer Service Representative
  5. Warehouse Worker
  6. Construction Laborer
  7. Marketing Specialist
  8. Accountant
  9. Teacher
  10. Janitor

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
  2. MultiCare
  3. System Transport
  4. United States Customs and Border Protection
  5. Molina Healthcare
  6. Yakima State Fair
  7. COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE
  8. SuperbTech, Inc.
  9. Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington
  10. City of Yakima

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