San Diego County unemployment rate lowest since 2007

In August, the state’s unemployment rate was 6.1 percent, and in September 2014, the unemployment rate was 7.3 percent.

The Inland Empire’s unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent in September from 6.8 percent in August, as 4,900 people started jobs or went back to work.

About 72,300 San Diegans were unemployed in September out of a civilian labor force of more than 1.5 million people, according to the EDD.

EDD’s report on payroll employment (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 16,199,000 in September, a net gain of 8,200 jobs since the August survey. Nationwide, the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

California recorded an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent in September and the nation had an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent for the same time frame.

The unemployment rate was 6.3 percent for Riverside County and 5.8 percent for San Bernardino County. Leisure and hospitality jobs declined by 1600 jobs in the month, the biggest drop.

Financial markets have been volatile across the world in recent months as economic growth slowed in China and declined in other emerging markets, cutting into exports and depressing commodity prices lower.

The 10 companies that posted the most help wanted ads for September in Stanislaus County were: TruStaff – 209; Tenet Healthcare Corporation – 117; Sutter Health – 94; Ceres Unified School District – 91; Robert Half global – 71; Kaiser Permanente – 70; Modesto City Schools – 69; Supplemental Health Care – 67; Stanislaus County Office of Education – 54; and Soliant – 51.

Those gains were offset by losses at hotels, and the amusement, gambling and recreation category. Of the latter, there was a decrease of 800 for accommodation and food services.

San Diego County added 46,900 non-farm jobs over the past year, with a lot of them coming in the professional, scientific and technical sector.

Trade, transportation and utilities, most often associated with the logistics industry, increased by 7,100 jobs over the year, while leisure and hospitality was up 6,000 jobs and government up 4,900. Professional and business services posted the largest gains on a numerical basis, adding 130,200 jobs (up 5.3 percent).

The EDD said 300 jobs were lost in the categories of mining and logging and other services.