Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA market rose by 8,057 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 6.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA unemployment rate is 90 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 920 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 5.5% 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 May 2021

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

  • Business Services: 251,600; -2,500
  • Government: 237,800; +1,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 214,200; +1,000
  • Transportation & Utilities: 208,600; +900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 150,200; +3,900
  • Manufacturing: 113,300; -900
  • Construction, Mining: 84,400; -1,200
  • Financial Services: 72,800; -600
  • Other Jobs: 45,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 22,000; +200
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.