Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 1,841 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 98 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 320 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 4.4% 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: 37,600; +200
- Business Services: 34,000; -100
- Education & Healthcare: 29,500; +200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 27,900; +400
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,100; -200
- Manufacturing: 12,500; +200
- Construction, Mining: 9,800; +100
- Financial Services: 6,900; +100
- Other Jobs: 6,300; +100
- IT & Development: 4,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.