LA's Evolving Job Market: Tech Shifts, Healthcare Gains, and Logistical Challenges

Los Angeles is experiencing a shift in its job market in 2025, marked by slow but steady employment growth, sector-specific changes, and evolving economic pressures. According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, statewide job growth between September 2023 and September 2024 was just 0.3 percent, with recent corrections showing much of the anticipated job creation was overestimated. The local unemployment rate in LA County, as reported in the most recent June 2025 data from the Employment Security Department, continues to hover slightly above 4 percent. This figure, while modest, reflects a cautious recovery rather than robust expansion, as job growth has flattened statewide since early 2024.

The employment landscape in Los Angeles is known for its diversity, with major industries including entertainment, technology, healthcare, professional services, logistics, and tourism. Tech remains a dominant force, with over 359,000 tech jobs and a thriving startup culture—Los Angeles leads the country by number of tech jobs and almost 25,000 new startups formed annually, as highlighted by CompTIA’s 2025 State of the Tech Workforce report. Tech salaries average around $146,550, and nearly one-fifth of the tech workforce works remotely. However, according to Colliers’ July 2025 U.S. tech trends, the sector has seen some contraction with selective hiring and reduced capital inflow, contributing to a more cautious employment environment.

Healthcare is one of the few sectors still experiencing significant gains, adding thousands of jobs across hospitals, nursing, and home healthcare each month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retail employment also posted gains this year, with general merchandise stores showing the most growth. In contrast, warehousing and logistics jobs, vital to the regional economy, are declining, a trend mirrored by rising vacancy rates and a slowdown in goods movement through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Recent developments include heated debates over business tax policy. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, business leaders have filed a ballot measure to repeal the city’s $800 million gross receipts tax in hopes of stimulating job creation and business growth, though city officials warn this could threaten essential services funded by the tax.

Seasonal patterns remain visible, with job losses in administrative support and education sectors during summer months being milder than in previous years, but still notable. Commuting trends have shifted with the rise in remote work, particularly in tech and professional services, reducing traditional rush-hour congestion.

Government responses include ongoing ballot measures affecting wages, business taxes, and labor standards, reflecting both pro-business and pro-labor initiatives that could reshape future hiring. Overall market evolution points to a city in transition—job growth is slow, major sectors are adapting, and both employers and workers face an unpredictable economic landscape.

Listeners should note that some granular statistics at the city level are unadjusted and subject to fluctuation. Job growth data remains mixed, with some sources reporting slight gains while official corrections show minimal net change statewide.

Current Los Angeles job openings include a software engineer at a major entertainment studio, a healthcare case manager for a large hospital group, and a logistics coordinator with a regional shipping firm.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Most Angelus is experiencing a shift in its job market
in twenty twenty five, marked by slow but steady employment growth,
sector specific changes, and evolving economic pressures. According to the
California Legislative Analyst's Office, statewide job growth between September twenty
twenty three and September twenty twenty four was just zero
point three percent, with recent corrections showing much of the

(00:23):
anticipated job creation was overestimated. The local unemployment rate in
La County, as reported in the most recent June twenty
twenty five data from the Employment Security Department, continues to
hover slightly above four percent. This figure, while modest, reflects
a cautious recovery rather than robust expansion, as job growth
has flattened statewide since early twenty twenty four. The employment

(00:46):
landscape in Los Angeles is known for its diversity, with
major industries including entertainment, technology, health care, professional services, logistics,
and tourism. Tech remains a dominant force with over over
three hundred and fifty nine thousand tech jobs in a
thriving startup culture. Los Angeles leads the country by number

(01:06):
of tech jobs and almost twenty five thousand new startups
formed annually. As highlighted by Comptia's twenty twenty five State
of the Tech Workforce Report. Tech salaries average around one
hundred and forty six thousand dollars five hundred and fifty dollars,
and nearly one fifth of the tech workforce works remotely. However,
according to Collier's July twenty twenty five US Tech Trends,

(01:29):
the sector has seen some contraction, with selective hiring and
reduced capital inflow contributing to a more cautious employment environment.
Healthcare is one of the few sectors still experiencing significant gains,
adding thousands of jobs across hospitals, nursing, and home health
care each month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(01:49):
Retail employment also posted games this year, with general merchandise
stores showing the most growth. In contrast, warehousing and logistics
jobs vital to the regional economy are declining, a trend
mirrored by rising vacancy rates and a slow down in
goods movement through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

(02:09):
Recent developments include heated debates over business tax policy. As
reported by The Los Angeles Times, business leaders have filed
a ballot measure to repeal the city's eight hundred million
dollars gross receipts tax in hopes of stimulating job creation
and business growth, though city officials warned this could threaten
essential services funded by the tax. Seasonal patterns remain visible,

(02:32):
with job losses and administrative support and education sectors during
summer months being milder than in previous years but still notable.
Commuting trends have shifted with the rise in remote work,
particularly in tech and professional services, reducing traditional rush hour congestion.
Government responses include ongoing ballot measures affecting wages, business taxes,

(02:54):
and labor standards, reflecting both pro business and pro labor
initiatives that could reach share future hiring. Overall market evolution
points to a city and transition. Job growth is slow,
major sectors are adapting, and both employers and workers face
an unpredictable economic landscape. Listeners should note that some granular

(03:15):
statistics at the city level are unadjusted and subject to fluctuation.
Job growth data remains mixed, with some sources reporting slight
gains while official corrections show minimal net change. Statewide. Current
Los Angeles job openings include a software engineer at a
major entertainment studio, a health care case manager for a
large hospital group, and a logistics coordinator with a regional

(03:39):
shipping firm. Thank you for tuning in and remember to subscribe.
This has been a quiet pleased production. For more, check
out Quiet Pleas dot ai