The San Diego Monthly Employment Report (May 2017 to June 2017) shows an increase in the civilian labor force, a decrease in employment, and an increase in the unemployment rate.1
Unemployment
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported an increase in San Diego’s unemployment rate from a revised 3.6 percent in May to 4.3 percent in June, remaining below the year-ago estimate of 4.9 percent.
The 4.3 percent unemployment rate falls below the highest June unemployment rate (10.7 percent in 2010 and 2011) and the lowest June unemployment rate experienced in the region over the last 10 years (4.6 percent in 2007).
Month-Over Job Changes2
Seven sectors reported month-over job gains. Leisure & Hospitality recorded the largest gains, adding 5,500 jobs to the economy, with 4,000 coming from Accommodation & Food Services and 1,500 coming from Arts, Entertainment & Recreation.3 Other industries with job increases include Trade, Transportation & Utilities (up 900), Government (up 700), Construction (up 300) and Other Services, Financial Activities and Manufacturing adding 100 jobs each.
Professional & Business Services experienced no change while Educational & Health Services lost 1,200 jobs and Information lost 100 jobs. Overall, employers in San Diego County have added 6,400 jobs in the past month.
“People are more hopeful to find employment during the summer months,” says Phil Blair, Executive Officer of Manpower Staffing/San Diego. “The unemployment rate went up because 8,700 more people joined the labor force last month. It takes time to find a job, so while job seekers look for work, the unemployment rate is inflated. The good news is summer seasonal jobs are going to keep climbing. Leisure and hospitality just added 5,500 jobs in June and the summer isn’t even over yet.”
Year-Over Job Changes
Between June 2016 and June 2017, eight sectors experience year-over gains. Government experienced the largest year-over gain, adding 6,100 jobs to the region. Most of this growth came from a 5,200 job increase in Local Government.4 This was followed by Construction (5,700 jobs), Educational & Health Services (4,600 jobs) and Other Services (4,200 jobs). Financial Activities, Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality and Trade, Transportation & Utilities also showed year-over gains.
Information experienced no year-over change while Manufacturing had a year-over loss of 300 jobs. Overall, employers in San Diego County have added 27,800 jobs in the past year.
Summary
Most industry sectors in San Diego County experienced both month- and year-over job gains in June, with jobs in seven sectors growing from May 2017 and eight growing since June 2016. San Diego employers have shown a net job gain of 6,400 jobs from May 2017 and 27,800 jobs since June 2016. Additionally, San Diego’s unemployment rate of 4.3 percent remains lower than the California rate of 4.9 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)
4Employment Development Department (EDD)