Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 6.9% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.
Total employment in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA market rose by 520 jobs in March and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA unemployment rate is 328 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 90 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 4.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 20,100; +500
- Education & Healthcare: 18,300; -100
- Transportation & Utilities: 16,600; -100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 14,200; +200
- Business Services: 10,700; -100
- Manufacturing: 7,900; no change
- Other Jobs: 5,300; no change
- Construction, Mining: 5,000; no change
- Financial Services: 3,200; no change
- IT & Development: 600; no change
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.