Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA market rose by 774 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA unemployment rate is 1 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 230 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 down 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:
- Government: 22,200; +800
- Education & Healthcare: 17,500; -100
- Transportation & Utilities: 16,600; +200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 13,700; -100
- Business Services: 10,800; no change
- Manufacturing: 7,600; -100
- Construction, Mining: 5,100; no change
- Other Jobs: 4,800; no change
- Financial Services: 3,300; no change
- IT & Development: 600; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.