The San Diego Monthly Employment Report (December 2016 to January 2017) shows increases in the civilian unemployment rate and labor force and a decrease in employment.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported an increase in San Diego’s unemployment rate from a revised 4.1 percent in December to 4.5 percent in January, remaining below the year-ago estimate of 4.8 percent.
“The January losses are seasonal,” says Phil Blair, Executive Officer, Manpower Staffing/San Diego. “However, there is a bigger message here. As we all know, Retail is changing and people need to be proactive now. If you are concerned your job may go away, take action and get career guidance and training before it hits you.”
The 4.5 percent unemployment rate falls below the highest January unemployment rate (11.1 percent in 2010) but remains higher than the lowest January unemployment rate experienced in the region over the last 10 years (4.4 percent in 2007).
Financial Activities was the only sector to record a month-over gain, adding 200 jobs.
Between January 2016 and January 2017, Government experienced the greatest year-over gain, adding 7,300 jobs to the region. Most of this growth was due to gains in local government, concentrated in local education. Other industries that showed increases in the thousands included Leisure & Hospitality (5,500 jobs), Educational & Health Services (4,800 jobs), Financial Activities (4,000 jobs), Construction (3,500 jobs), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (3,000 jobs), Other Services (2,300 jobs) and Professional & Business Services (2,000 jobs).
Information was the only sector to experienced a year-over loss with a decrease of 300 jobs.
Despite month-over losses in nine sectors, San Diego County continues to experience year-over gains in a majority of sectors (nine total). Additionally, San Diego’s unemployment rate of 4.5 percent remains lower than the California rate of 5.5 percent.