Overall unemployment rate moved up to 8.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 12,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA market declined by 71,440 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 8.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA unemployment rate is 129 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 480 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 10.4% 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.8%. Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 248,900; -4,500
  • Government: 232,700; -3,200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 211,600; -8,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 209,000; -2,800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 118,200; -12,200
  • Manufacturing: 113,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 82,200; -5,900
  • Financial Services: 73,900; -100
  • Other Jobs: 39,700; -900
  • IT & Development: 21,700; -200
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.