Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 4,311 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 5.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 10 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 700 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 3.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:
- Business Services: 35,700; -200
- Government: 35,700; +400
- Education & Healthcare: 28,000; -200
- Transportation & Utilities: 25,400; -200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 21,600; +400
- Manufacturing: 11,800; +200
- Construction, Mining: 9,700; no change
- Financial Services: 6,600; no change
- Other Jobs: 5,500; no change
- IT & Development: 3,900; no change
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.