Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA market rose by 2,460 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA unemployment rate is 22 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 340 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 8.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 22,800; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 17,400; -100
- Transportation & Utilities: 16,200; -100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 12,900; +200
- Business Services: 10,700; no change
- Manufacturing: 7,600; no change
- Construction, Mining: 5,000; +100
- Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
- Financial Services: 3,300; no change
- IT & Development: 600; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.