Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.

Total employment in the Salinas, CA market rose by 12,107 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 240 bps to 7.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.

  • Salinas, CA unemployment rate is 420 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 100 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 5.4% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Salinas, CA Unemployment April 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 35,600; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 25,700; +300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 25,500; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 22,100; +200
  • Business Services: 15,800; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 7,000; +100
  • Other Jobs: 5,600; +100
  • Manufacturing: 5,200; no change
  • Financial Services: 4,300; no change
  • IT & Development: 800; no change
Salinas, CA Unemployment by Industry April 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.