Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 4,417 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 39 bps over the same time to 3.8%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 25 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 380 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 4.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 37,300; +200
- Business Services: 33,800; +200
- Education & Healthcare: 29,100; +300
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,300; +200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 26,700; +300
- Manufacturing: 12,300; +100
- Construction, Mining: 9,700; +100
- Financial Services: 6,800; no change
- Other Jobs: 6,200; +100
- IT & Development: 4,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 27, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.