Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market declined by 1,001 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 21 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 8.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:
- Business Services: 35,200; -1,000
- Government: 33,100; +2,000
- Education & Healthcare: 28,100; +100
- Transportation & Utilities: 25,900; -400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 23,800; +400
- Manufacturing: 11,800; -100
- Construction, Mining: 9,900; +200
- Financial Services: 6,600; +100
- Other Jobs: 5,800; no change
- IT & Development: 4,000; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.