Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 1,777 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 88 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 50 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 7.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 35,700; +500
- Business Services: 35,200; +100
- Education & Healthcare: 30,300; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 29,400; +400
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,000; no change
- Manufacturing: 12,200; no change
- Construction, Mining: 10,200; -100
- 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 March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.