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October 20, 2017

The San Diego Monthly Employment Report (August 2017 to September 2017) shows increases in the civilian labor force and employment and a decrease in the unemployment rate.1

Labor market highlights for September 2017

Unemployment

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported a decrease in San Diego’s unemployment rate from a revised 4.7 percent in August to 4.1 percent in September, remaining below the year-ago estimate of 4.6 percent.

The 4.1 percent unemployment rate falls below the highest September unemployment rate (10.7 percent in 2010) and below the lowest September unemployment rate experienced in the region over the last 10 years (4.7 percent in 2007).

“Even with the seasonal decline in Leisure and Hospitality jobs, San Diego’s unemployment rate is at its lowest September rate in the past decade,” says Phil Blair, Executive Officer of Manpower Staffing/San Diego. We are in a tight labor market, so building your personal network will help you to find employment opportunities. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities should start seeing an uptick in jobs in the coming months as we head into holiday retail season.”

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

Month-Over Job Changes2

Four sectors reported month-over job gains. Government recorded the largest gains, adding 4,000 net jobs to the economy, with 4,600 coming from Local Government.3 Construction and Educational & Health Services added 800 jobs each and Manufacturing added 100 jobs.

Six sectors reported month-over job losses. Leisure & Hospitality reported the largest loss with 3,200 jobs, followed by Professional & Business Services (down 2,300) and Trade, Transportation & Utilities (down 1,100). Financial Activities, Information and Other Services also experienced month-over job losses. Overall, employers in San Diego County lost 1,300 net jobs in the past month.

San Diego County Year-Over Job Gains & Losses

Year-Over Job Changes

Between September 2016 and September 2017, six sectors experienced year-over gains. Other Services experienced the largest year-over gains, adding 5,000 jobs to the region. Most of this growth came from a 2,100 job increase in Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional and Similar Organizations and a 2,100 job increase in Personal Laundry Services.4

Construction increased by 4,000 jobs, followed by Educational & Health Services (up 3,900), Government (up 3,500), Financial Activities (up 3,100) and Leisure & Hospitality (up 300).

Three industries experienced year-over losses and one industry continues to experience no change (Information). Professional & Business Services experienced the largest year-over loss, down 2,500 jobs, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities (down 800) and Manufacturing (down 400). Overall, employers in San Diego County have added 16,100 net jobs in the past year.

San Diego County Year-Over Job Gains & Losses

Summary

Some industry sectors in San Diego County experienced both month- and year-over job gains in September, with jobs in four sectors growing from August 2017 and six growing since September 2016. San Diego employers have shown a net loss of 1,300 jobs since August 2017 and a net gain of 16,100 jobs since September 2016. Additionally, San Diego’s unemployment rate of 4.1 percent remains lower than the California rate of 4.7 percent.


1Labor force, employment and unemployment are reported by place of residence, including self-employed individuals, unpaid family workers, household domestic workers & workers on strike.
2Jobs data is gathered from employers through the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, administered monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CES excludes self-employed individuals, unpaid family workers, household domestic workers & workers on strike.
3Employment Development Department (EDD).
 The 4,600 gain in local government is offset by decreases in other parts of government, resulting in a lower overall sector increase.
4Employment Development Department (EDD)

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