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January 20, 2017

The San Diego Monthly Employment Report (November 2016 to December 2016) shows decreases in the civilian unemployment rate, labor force and employment.

Labor market highlights for December 2016

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported a decrease in San Diego’s unemployment rate from a revised 4.3 percent in November to 4.2 percent in December, remaining below the year-ago estimate of 4.8 percent. 

“I’m not surprised that the unemployment rate dropped from November to December,” says Phil Blair, President and CEO of Manpower Staffing/San Diego. “Lots of retail jobs are filled during the holiday season, which peaks at the end of the year. With the holiday season officially over, I expect a large drop in retail employment in January and to see the unemployment rate go up.”

The 4.2 percent unemployment rate falls below the highest December unemployment rate (10.4 percent in 2010) but remains higher than the lowest December unemployment rate experienced in the region over the last 10 years (3.7 percent in 2006).

San Diego & California unemployment rates
Civilian labor force & employment numbers

Trade, Transportation & Utilities recorded the largest net month-over gain of 2,200 jobs; 1,300 of these jobs came from Wholesale Trade, 700 jobs from Retail Trade and Transportation and 200 jobs from Warehousing & Utilities.1 Education & Health Services experienced the second largest month-over gain with 1,000 additional jobs. Financial activities recorded the third largest month-over gain with the addition of 100 jobs.

Five sectors reported month-over job losses. Construction and Leisure & Hospitality experienced the largest month-over employment losses with 1,700 jobs each. Manufacturing and Government recorded a job loss of 300 for each sector and Other Services recorded a job loss of 200. Information and Professional & Business Services experienced no month-over changes.

San Diego County Year-Over Job Gains & Losses

Between Decemember 2015 and December 2016, Government experienced the greatest year-over gain, adding 6,300 jobs to the region, with 65 percent of this growth coming from Local Government (4,100 jobs). This was followed by Educational & Health Services (5,700 jobs), Professional & Business Services (5,500 jobs) and Leisure & Hospitality (5,400 jobs). Year-over gains were seen in five additional sectors.

Manufacturing was the only sector to experience a year-over decline with a loss of 1,600 jobs. 

San Diego County Year-Over Job Gains & Losses

Despite month-over losses in five sectors and no month-over change in two sectors, San Diego County continues to experience year-over gains in a majority of sectors. Additionally, San Diego’s unemployment rate remains lower than the California rate of 5.0 percent. 


1Employment Development Department (EDD)

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