Unemployment rates slightly dropped in Los Angeles and San Diego counties in February 2022, according to figures released on March 25 by the state Employment Development Department (EDD).
Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dipped to 6.4 percent in February, down from a revised 6.9 percent in January and from the 10.7 percent rate a year ago in February 2021.
A closer look into Los Angeles County shows that total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County increased by 61,100 jobs between January and February to reach nearly 4.5 million, according to the EDD. The leisure and hospitality sector and education/health services sector led the way, adding 10,500 jobs each.
Year over year, nonfarm employment increased by 324,000 jobs between February 2021 and last month.
San Diego County’s unemployment rate dipped to 4 percent in February, down from 4.7 percent in January 2022 and from the 7.9 percent rate a year ago in February 2021, according to the EDD.
Total nonfarm employment in San Diego County increased by 16,500 jobs between January and February, while the agricultural sector added 500 jobs.
Professional and business services saw the largest gains among all industry sectors, adding 6,100 jobs over the past month. Other gains were seen in educational and health services—up 4,800 jobs—and leisure and hospitality, which went up 4,200.
Trade, transportation, and utilities—which went down 2,700 jobs—registered the largest decline over the past month. Manufacturing also saw a decline of 800 jobs.
Year over year, San Diego County’s nonfarm employment increased by 104,300 jobs between February 2021 and last month, an increase of 7.5 percent, according to the EDD.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in February, down from the 5.7 percent in January 2022 and below the 8.6 percent rate from February 2021.
Nationwide, the comparable estimates were 3.8 percent in February, 4 percent in January, and 6.2 percent in February of last year.
