Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 2,427 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 4.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 14 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 September versus prior month by 7.1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 34,700; +1,600
- Business Services: 34,600; -600
- Education & Healthcare: 28,300; +100
- Transportation & Utilities: 26,600; +400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 24,600; +700
- Manufacturing: 11,900; no change
- Construction, Mining: 9,900; +100
- Financial Services: 6,500; -100
- Other Jobs: 5,700; -100
- IT & Development: 4,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.