Unemployment up slightly in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - San Diego County's unadjusted unemployment rate rose slightly from September to October but remained under 3% for the month, according to data released today by the California Economic Development Department.

Estimated non-farm employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad region rose by 9,400 jobs from 1,516,200 in September to 1,525,600 in October while farm jobs fell from 9,100 in September to 8,900 last month. The region's total unemployment rate rose from an adjusted 2.7% in September to 2.8% last month.

Government jobs increased by 7,400, the most of any industry for the second straight month, driven mostly by state education job growth. Educational and health services jobs, professional and business services jobs and financial activities jobs all increased by at least 1,200, according to the EDD.

The construction and leisure and hospitality industries shed 2,500 and 1,500 jobs month-over-month, respectively. "Other services" jobs, which include repair and maintenance jobs, personal and laundry services jobs and religious, grants, civic and professional organizations, fell by 700 from September to October.

Nonfarm industries added 30,200 jobs from October 2018 to last month, with several industries showing gains of more than 5,000 jobs. Farm jobs stayed stagnant year-over-year at 8,900, according to the EDD.

The construction, professional and business services, educational and health services and government industries all added at least 5,400 jobs year-over-year. Government jobs increased by 8,200 from October 2018 to last month, according to the EDD, the most of any industry.

The trade, transportation and utilities industry was the only one to post four-digit job losses year-over-year, shedding 2,200 jobs from October 2018 to last month. Information and financial activities jobs each fell by 300 jobs, as well.

Statewide unemployment ticked down from an adjusted 4% in September to 3.9% in October.

Nationwide, unemployment sat at an unadjusted 3.6% in October, up slightly from 3.5% in September and down from 3.8% in October 2018.