Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2022.
Total employment in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA market rose by 896 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 47 bps over the same time to 3.3%.
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA unemployment rate is 62 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 3.8% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:
- Government: 36,600; +1,200
- Business Services: 34,500; no change
- Education & Healthcare: 29,800; +200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 28,400; -500
- Transportation & Utilities: 27,300; no change
- Manufacturing: 12,600; +100
- Construction, Mining: 9,900; no change
- Financial Services: 6,800; -100
- Other Jobs: 6,400; no change
- IT & Development: 4,100; -100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2022 (Data published November 2022 and reports created on November 2, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.