Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market declined by 5,152 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 140 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 64 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 30 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in January 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 declined by -0.9%. Key sectors include:
- Business Services: 35,300; -500
- Government: 35,100; +1,100
- Education & Healthcare: 29,900; -100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 27,500; -1,100
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,300; -600
- Manufacturing: 12,000; -100
- Construction, Mining: 10,100; -300
- Financial Services: 7,100; -100
- Other Jobs: 6,500; no change
- IT & Development: 4,500; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.