Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 1,860 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 60 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 50 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 6.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 35,600; -100
- Business Services: 35,400; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 30,700; +400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 29,900; no change
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,300; +200
- Manufacturing: 12,400; +200
- Construction, Mining: 10,300; +100
- Financial Services: 7,000; -100
- Other Jobs: 6,600; +100
- IT & Development: 4,500; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.