Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA market declined by 846 jobs in October and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA unemployment rate is 20 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 130 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 8.7% and are down 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 1.8% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 23,200; +900
- Education & Healthcare: 17,800; +200
- Transportation & Utilities: 16,600; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 12,900; +100
- Business Services: 10,900; +100
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2022 (Data published December 2022 and reports created on December 2, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.