Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 6,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA market declined by 2,120 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA unemployment rate is 16 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 100 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 3.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment January 2023

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

  • Business Services: 284,800; -6,900
  • Government: 254,400; +4,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 235,100; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 221,900; -6,800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 198,100; -2,800
  • Manufacturing: 115,500; -3,000
  • Construction, Mining: 87,700; -900
  • Financial Services: 76,400; +400
  • Other Jobs: 55,600; -1,000
  • IT & Development: 22,100; -100
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.