THE IE LABOR MARKET PULSE
Monthly Analysis and Insights on the Latest Riverside and San Bernardino Jobs Data
January 2025
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS; 2024 ENDS ON A HIGH NOTE
The Inland Empire’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5% in December, down from 5.7% in November. California’s unemployment rate increased to 5.5% over the month, while the U.S. rate went down by 0.1% to 4.1%. Long-term unemployment trends align with those of California and the U.S. The regional unemployment rate decreased by 0.1% from December 2023 to December 2024, despite fluctuating by 1.7% over the year.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The total nonfarm employment in the region decreased by 900 jobs, or 0.1%, in December 2024, after reaching an all-time high of 1.74 million jobs in November 2024. Despite this decrease, the region had nearly 23,000 more jobs in December 2024 compared to December 2023. Seven of the 19 industry sectors added jobs over the year. The region’s largest industries—government, health care and social assistance, and transportation and warehousing—grew the fastest, collectively adding a total of 35,200 jobs over the year. In contrast, the construction sector experienced the greatest decline in employment, losing 3,700 jobs over the same period.
2024 SAW MAJOR GROWTH IN HEALTHCARE AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS
The Inland Empire-Desert region continued to demonstrate its resilience by adding 22,800 jobs in 2024. While several industries experienced growth, the government and healthcare sectors saw the most significant increases in employment, with the healthcare industry adding more jobs than all other sectors combined.
The healthcare industry in the Inland Empire-Desert region grew by 7.0% in 2024, adding 19,100 jobs. Notable growth occurred in ambulatory health care services (including outpatient services, offices of physicians, and home health) and nursing and residential care facilities, which grew by 5.1% and 7.4%, respectively. Job posting data confirms strong demand for healthcare workers, with over 2,600 regional employers posting more than 43,000 unique job ads in 2024. The top three employers in the healthcare industry—Loma Linda University, Kaiser Permanente, and Universal Health Services—accounted for nearly 20% of all industry job ads. Similarly, the government sector, which includes federal, state, and local government jobs, grew by nearly 4% in 2024, adding 9,700 jobs. Over 140 employers in this sector posted more than 2,100 unique job ads, with the demand concentrated among the State of California, San Bernardino County, and Inland Empire Health Plan, which collectively posted over 40% of all government job ads in 2024.
Approximately 15% of job ads posted by employers in the government and healthcare industry sectors in 2024 sought registered nurses, highlighting a strong demand for this occupation in the region. This high demand is likely influenced by the ongoing registered nursing shortage detailed in a report from the California Board of Registered Nursing, which projects the shortage to continue through 2028. As a result, regional demand for registered nurses is expected to persist. Following registered nurses, the most sought-after positions in 2024 included home health and personal care aides (5% of all job ads), medical and health services managers (4%), dental assistants (3%), and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (2%).
In 2024, IEGO united people around key California and regional initiatives, emphasizing workforce development and addressing skill gaps. Looking ahead to 2025, we are dedicated to strengthening partnerships and driving investments that create quality jobs and ensure inclusive growth for the Inland Empire.
INDUSTRY AND DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS SHOW OPPORTUNITY FOR 2025
If current trends persist, the health care and social assistance sector is poised to be a significant driver of regional employment in 2025. With the 65-and-older population projected to be the region’s fastest-growing demographic over the next five years, regional employers appear to be preparing for this shift by expanding the capacity to provide care in nursing and residential care facilities.
The civilian labor force of the Inland Empire grew by 5.3% between 2019 and 2024, in contrast to California’s labor force, which contracted by 0.1% during the same period. Looking ahead, the region’s population is projected to increase by 1.4% over the next five years, while California’s population is expected to decline by 1.7%. The Inland Empire’s economic outlook remains strong, as its growing population and labor force will support workforce development and drive business expansion in the region.
To learn more about this data or IEGO’s Labor Market Research, please email researchrequest@iegocollaborative.org
