Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 4,873 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 16 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 290 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 4.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Unemployment February 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 37,400; +600
  • Business Services: 33,600; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 28,800; +300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 27,100; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 26,600; +1,200
  • Manufacturing: 12,200; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 9,600; +300
  • Financial Services: 6,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 6,100; +100
  • IT & Development: 4,100; no change
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Unemployment by Industry February 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.