Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market declined by 845 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.8%. The national unemployment rate increased by 46 bps over the same time to 3.8%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 104 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 340 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 4% and are up 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 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 38,000; +300
- Business Services: 34,000; no change
- Education & Healthcare: 29,300; -100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 28,300; +400
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,100; no change
- Manufacturing: 12,500; +100
- Construction, Mining: 9,900; +200
- Financial Services: 6,900; +100
- Other Jobs: 6,400; +100
- IT & Development: 4,200; +100
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on August 3, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.