The unemployment rate in San Diego County decreased to 4.6% in November, above the November 2024 estimate of 4.5%, according to several-month-old data released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.
The region’s rate of unemployment compares with 5.4% for California and 4.3% for the nation during the same period. The EDD did not release October unemployment percentages and is playing catch-up with jobs numbers delayed by last year’s government shutdown.
Between October 2025 and November 2025, total nonfarm employment increased from 1,573,300 to 1,584,400, a gain of 11,100 jobs. Agricultural employment lost 400 jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities saw the largest increase in employment in November, gaining 5,400 jobs, followed by government with 3,000 and private education and health services with 2,700. Four other sectors saw month-over gains for a total of 4,100 jobs added.
Construction jobs, on the other hand, fell by 1,000. Manufacturing dropped by 400 jobs.
Between November 2024 and November 2025, total nonfarm employment increased by 11,800, while agricultural employment was unchanged.
The private education and health services sector saw the most jobs gained here, with an increase of 17,100 with 16,700 of those coming in the health care and social assistance sub-sector. Government also increased payrolls by 4,100 in the year-over-year numbers, all through local and state government. Federal government jobs dipped by 2,700 jobs. The other 3,800 jobs gained were split between leisure and hospitality and other services.
Contrarily, six sectors lost employment over the year for a total decrease of 13,200. Professional and business services experienced the largest decline of 6,200 jobs. Manufacturing, financial activities, trade, transportation, and utilities, information, and construction saw the remainder of the job losses.
— City News Service
