Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 4,215 jobs in February and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 61 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 20 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 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 0.9% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 35,200; +400
- Business Services: 35,000; -200
- Education & Healthcare: 30,100; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 29,100; +1,100
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,000; -200
- Manufacturing: 12,300; +300
- Construction, Mining: 10,400; +300
- Financial Services: 7,100; no change
- Other Jobs: 6,500; no change
- IT & Development: 4,500; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.