Exclusive jobs data across a variety of industries
Last year, the hiring market went through a number of changes and challenges, including skills shortages, supply chain issues and economic pressures. Looking ahead to 2024, there are positive signs on the horizon.
As your trusted staffing partner, PeopleReady is dedicated to providing you with the information you need to make smart decisions and stay ahead in your staffing efforts. Our new workforce data report is designed to give your business a clear understanding of the job market in the upcoming year.
Since the publication of our 2023 mid-year report, covering the first half of 2023 from January to June, we’ve noticed encouraging overall numbers. This suggests increased demand for various essential roles across a number of industries.
So, what jobs will be in demand in 2024? PeopleReady has compiled 2023 jobs numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics along with exclusive jobs data across a variety of industries. This includes a summary of employment numbers, wage information and jobs to watch in 2024.
Jobs Added
2.7 million
year over year
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
3.7%
up from 3.5% in December 2022
WAGE CHANGE
+4.1%
year over year
2023 jobs data for key industries
What jobs are in demand? Jump to an industry by clicking a button below.
Construction
Total employment as of December 2023: 8.06 million
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 4.4%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 197,000
Job postings in 2023: 892,000
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $37.24 ⇧ 4.6% YoY
CONSTRUCTION JOBS TO WATCH
CARPENTERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 26,783
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 62.9%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $25.05
PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS & STEAMFITTERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 21,653
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 8.4%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $31.20
ELECTRICIANS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 30,526
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇩ 0.1%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $30.71
Manufacturing
Total employment as of December 2023: 12.99 million
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 3.0%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 12,000
Job postings in 2023: 2.50 million
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $33.25 ⇧ 5.6% YoY
MANUFACTURING JOBS TO WATCH
FREIGHT, STOCK & MATERIAL MOVERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 252,132
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 12.2%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $18.06
PACKERS & PACKAGERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 20,000
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 9.3%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $17.05
STOCKERS & ORDER FILLERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 153,043
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 7.6%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $17.91
Retail
Total employment as of December 2023: 15.54 million
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 4.1%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 65,500
Job postings in 2023: 3.52 million
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $24.33 ⇧ 3.8% YoY
RETAIL JOBS TO WATCH
RETAIL SALESPERSONS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 588,695
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 27.0%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $16.71
CASHIERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 117,505
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 12.9%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $15.48
COUNTER & RENTAL CLERKS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 14,712
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 6.2%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $18.03
Hospitality
Total employment as of December 2023: 16.78 million
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 4.8%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 466,000
Job postings in 2023: 2.53 million
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $21.60 ⇧ 3.9% YoY
HOSPITALITY JOBS TO WATCH
HOSTS & HOSTESSES
Job postings, July-December 2023: 66,088
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 13.5%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $15.60
FAST FOOD & COUNTER WORKERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 279,964
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 10.7%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $16.71
DISHWASHERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 63,559
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 6.2%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $15.29
Cleaning & Janitorial
Total employment as of December 2023: 502,000
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 1.7%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 19,000
Job postings in 2023: 4.42 million
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $27.30 ⇧ 2.4% YoY
CLEANING JOBS TO WATCH
JANITORS & CLEANERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 167,869
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 13.7%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $16.46
CLEANERS OF VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Job postings, July-December 2023: 623,971
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 9.8%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $16.09
MAIDS & HOUSEKEEPERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 109,190
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 5.8%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $16.06
Energy*
Total employment as of December 2023: 561,800
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 1.4%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 55,000
Job postings in 2023: 175,800
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $49.78 ⇧ 2.8% YoY
*Utilities Sector (BLS)
ENERGY JOBS TO WATCH
SHEET METAL WORKERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 8,218
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 0.1%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $22.71
WELDERS, CUTTERS, SOLDERERS & BRAZERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 22,899
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇩ 0.1%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $22.58
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 2,632
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇩ 2.2%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $25.54
Business & Professional Services
Total employment as of December 2023: 22.95 million
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 3.9%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 132,000
Job postings in 2023: 7.85 million
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $41.29 ⇧ 4.5%
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES JOBS TO WATCH
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 53,679
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇩ 1.3%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $52.86
ACTUARIES
Job postings, July-December 2023: 5,927
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇩ 1.3%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $59.51
STATISTICIANS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 6,214
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇩ 1.6%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $51.63
Education & Health Services
Total employment as of December 2023: 25.88 million
Unemployment rate as of December 2023: 2.2%
Jobs added in 2023 (based on payroll numbers): 1.05 million
Job postings in 2023: 7.55 million
Average hourly wage as of December 2023: $33.38 ⇧ 2.5% YoY
EDUCATION & HEALTH SERVICES JOBS TO WATCH
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 66,002
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 2.7%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $20.00
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 2,958
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 1.4%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $24.60
PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS
Job postings, July-December 2023: 29,697
Jobs change from January-June 2023: ⇧ 1.0%
Median hourly wage as advertised: $31.48
About PeopleReady
PeopleReady connects people with work in 600-plus communities throughout North America, including the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. We put a Workforce Within Reach™ across a variety of industries, such as hospitality, retail, manufacturing, construction and more. If you’re struggling to find workers in this competitive market, contact PeopleReady and learn more about our staffing solutions.
SOURCES
- U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- Lightcast, January 3, 2024
