Rising job openings reflect the state of the economic recovery

50 states of strong job growth

Throughout the pandemic, the number of monthly job postings on CareerBuilder.com has more than tripled. That upswing continued in January, with all major occupational groups showing double- or even triple-digit growth compared to the same period last year.

Increases in job openings have also hit double- or triple-digit percentages in every state. Massachusetts boasts 341.5% job growth, with Connecticut close behind at 334.5%.

Transportation/warehousing still leads volume

As businesses work to address supply-chain bottlenecks and a low supply of truck drivers and warehouse workers, transportation and warehousing occupations continue to provide the highest volume of open positions. Leading occupations in transportation and warehousing include:

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Light truck or delivery services drivers
Laborers and freight, stock and material movers (hand)
Stock clerks – stockroom, warehouse or storage yard

Strong demand for healthcare workers, especially registered nurses, persists

Since January 2021, the demand for nurses on CareerBuilder has skyrocketed by 306% amid a supply shortage. Employers looking to hire and retain talent are adapting to a shifting landscape and getting creative with their hiring practices, with some offering higher wages, sign-on bonuses and more.

Remote work continues to grow

The unprecedented shift toward remote work continued in January, with businesses adding more work-from-home (“WFH”) or “remote” positions. Tax preparers in particular found themselves in the greatest demand, with tax season right around the corner. The top work-from-home jobs include:

Tax preparer/associate (seasonal)
Licensed therapist
Credentialed tax expert (seasonal)
Licensed life insurance agent
Sales representative

Community and social services occupations increased in January

January’s uptick in community and social services occupations could reflect the pandemic’s impact on mental health. Demand for counselors and therapists has risen by 542% since this time last year.