Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA market rose by 2,136 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 6.9%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA unemployment rate is 81 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 530 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 2.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Unemployment June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 19,400; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 17,100; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,100; +100
  • Business Services: 10,500; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 10,000; +600
  • Manufacturing: 7,200; +100
  • Other Jobs: 4,900; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 4,500; no change
  • Financial Services: 3,100; no change
  • IT & Development: 500; no change
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.