San Diego County’s unemployment rate remained at 4.7% in February, unchanged from January but higher than the 3.7% rate from a year before, the state Employment Development Department announced Friday.
The statewide unemployment rate stood at 5.6%, while nationally it was 4.2%, the department said.
Between January and February of this year, total non-farm jobs in San Diego County increased by 6,000 for a total of 1,551,900 jobs.
During that time period, professional and business services reported “a strong rebound” from the previous month’s decline of 3,600 jobs and led all industries with an additional 3,100 jobs.
More than a third of the month-over increase centered around 1,200 additional jobs in temporary employment services.
Professional, scientific and technical services jobs drove up industry sector totals.
There were 2,500 more jobs in the leisure and hospitality sectors, which saw an employment increase of 2,500 jobs, followed by 1,800 jobs in accommodation and food services and 700 more jobs in the arts, entertainment and recreation fields.
Private education and health services added1,900 jobs, with additions reported across every health care subsector, according to EDD.
EDD reported that between February 2023 and February 2024, non-farm employment in the county increased by 13,600, or 0.9%.
Private education and health services led industry sectors with 15,000 more jobs, and health care and social assistance accounted for 91% of that figure.
Leisure and hospitality during the one-year period were up 6,100 jobs, with 3,100 jobs in arts, entertainment, and recreation, and 3,000 jobs in accommodation/food services.
Government employment increased by 5,700 jobs, with the most growth driven by local government jobs, with state and federal second and third.
City News Service contributed to this report.