Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA market declined by 4,494 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 6.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA unemployment rate is 72 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 310 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 9.8% 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 March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 258,200; +3,300
  • Government: 236,600; +2,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 212,900; +400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 211,000; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 137,100; +5,000
  • Manufacturing: 113,900; -400
  • Construction, Mining: 82,400; -1,500
  • Financial Services: 73,900; -200
  • Other Jobs: 44,300; +800
  • IT & Development: 21,800; +100
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment by Industry March 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.