Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.2% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 4,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA market declined by 1,479 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA unemployment rate is 51 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 380 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 3.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.1%. Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 266,900; +4,100
  • Government: 241,000; -800
  • Transportation & Utilities: 222,200; +2,500
  • Education & Healthcare: 213,900; -2,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 168,000; -1,300
  • Manufacturing: 112,900; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 86,500; -2,500
  • Financial Services: 71,000; -600
  • Other Jobs: 51,400; -400
  • IT & Development: 23,300; +400
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.