Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.2% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 12,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA market rose by 42,453 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 7.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA unemployment rate is 65 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 400 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 8.6% and are down 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 February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 2.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 255,700; +6,800
  • Government: 234,500; +1,600
  • Transportation & Utilities: 210,900; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 209,800; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 131,700; +12,800
  • Manufacturing: 115,000; +2,000
  • Construction, Mining: 85,900; +4,100
  • Financial Services: 74,200; +200
  • Other Jobs: 44,000; +4,100
  • IT & Development: 21,800; no change
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.