The December 2023 jobs report for Yuma, Arizona offers encouraging signs of recovery following a turbulent year. While challenges remain, the data reveals positive job growth, particularly in healthcare and government sectors. Let’s delve into the details:
Overview:
- Employment: Up 3.8% from November 2023, adding an estimated 3,000 jobs.
- Unemployment Rate: Down to 14.1%, a decrease of 0.9% from November and 4.7% lower than December 2022.
- Labor Force: Expanded by 2.6%, indicating increased participation in the job market.
Highlights:
- Strongest job gains seen in Healthcare and Social Assistance (+6.7%) and Government (+5.1%).
- Leisure and Hospitality also experienced growth (+2.4%), potentially reflecting the winter tourist season.
- Construction remained stable (+0.3%).
Industries and Occupations that Grew:
- Healthcare and Social Assistance: Registered Nurses, Home Health Aides, Nursing Assistants, Personal Care Aides.
- Government: Education Administrators, Elementary and Middle School Teachers, Special Education Teachers.
- Leisure and Hospitality: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations, Waiters and Waitresses, Bartenders.
- Construction: Construction Laborers, Carpenters, Electricians.
Industries and Occupations that Shrank:
- Retail Trade: Salespersons, Cashiers.
- Transportation and Warehousing: Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer.
- Manufacturing: Production Workers.
Compared to December 2022:
- Employment is up 8.3%, adding nearly 8,000 jobs.
- Unemployment rate is down 4.7%, a significant improvement.
- All major sectors except for Information and Mining & Logging added jobs.
Compared to November 2023:
- This report marks the second consecutive month of job growth.
- Unemployment rate continued its downward trend.
- However, the pace of job creation slowed slightly compared to November.
Future Outlook:
The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization projects continued job growth in 2024, but at a slower pace than 2023. Key sectors for growth include healthcare, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.
10 Growing Occupations in Yuma, AZ (December 2023):
- Registered Nurses
- Home Health Aides
- Nursing Assistants
- Personal Care Aides
- Elementary and Middle School Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- Construction Laborers
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Bartenders
10 Companies Hiring Now in Yuma, AZ (as of February 1, 2024):
- Yuma Regional Medical Center
- Yuma School District One
- Walmart
- Lowe’s
- Kroger
- Target
- City of Yuma
- Yuma County
- La Quinta by Wyndham Yuma East
- McDonald’s
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