Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.
Total employment in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA market declined by 3,474 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 170 bps to 6.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA unemployment rate is 234 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 10 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 0.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.7%. Key sectors include:
- Government: 19,200; +900
- Education & Healthcare: 18,000; -100
- Transportation & Utilities: 16,800; -500
- Restaurants & Hotels: 13,400; -400
- Business Services: 10,600; -200
- Manufacturing: 7,900; -100
- Other Jobs: 5,300; no change
- Construction, Mining: 4,900; -300
- Financial Services: 3,200; no change
- IT & Development: 600; no change
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.