May 22, 2026
Beacon Employment Report | California
Presented by Beacon Economics
Copyright © Beacon Economics LLC
REGIONAL OVERVIEW
In Southern California, San Diego experienced the largest increase, with payrolls growing by 1,400 during the month, a 0.1% expansion. The Inland Empire (900 or 0.1%) and Orange County (300) also saw growth during the month. On the other hand, payrolls fell in Los Angeles (MD) (-6,500 or -0.1%) and Ventura (-300 or -0.1%) and were unchanged in El Centro. Over the past year, San Diego (0.7%) has enjoyed the fastest job growth in the region, followed by the Inland Empire (0.5%), El Centro (0.3%), Los Angeles (MD) (-0.2%), Orange County (-0.5%), and Ventura (-0.8%).
In the Bay Area, San Jose (500) saw the largest jobs increase during April. Payrolls in Santa Rosa (300 or 0.1%) and Vallejo (100 or 0.1%) also grew. In contrast, payrolls fell in San Francisco (MD) (-1,200 or -0.1%), San Rafael (MD) -300 or -0.3%), and the East Bay (-100). They were unchanged in Napa. Over the past 12 months, Napa (1.3%) has seen the fastest job growth in the region, followed by San Jose (1.2%), Santa Rosa (0.8%), San Francisco (MD) (0.7%), Vallejo (0.5%), the East Bay (0.2%) and San Rafael (MD) (unchanged).
Regionally, job gains were led by the Central Valley. Fresno (1,500 or 0.3%) experienced the largest monthly increase in April. Payrolls also grew in Bakersfield (300 or 0.1%), Stockton (300 or 0.1%), Sacramento (200) and Hanford (100 or 0.2%). On the other hand, payrolls fell in Modesto (-300 or -0.2%), Chico (-300 or -0.4%), Yuba (-100 or -0.2%), and Redding (-100 or -0.1%). Payrolls were unchanged in Visali and Merced. Over the past year, Merced (3.3%) has seen the fastest growth, followed by Yuba (2.3%), Fresno (1.7%), Redding (1.5%), Bakersfield (1.2%), Stockton (1.0%), Modesto (0.8%), Visalia (0.6%), Sacramento (0.3%), Hanford (0.2%), and Chico (-0.5%).
On California’s Central Coast, Santa Barbara (200 or 0.1%) added the largest number of jobs during the month. San Luis Obispo (100 or 0.1%) also grew. In contrast, payrolls fell in Salinas (-100 or -0.1%) and Santa Cruz (-200 or -0.2%). From April 2025 to April 2026, Salinas (0.9%) added jobs at the fastest rate, followed by Santa Cruz (0.6%), Santa Barbara (0.6%), and San Luis Obispo (-2.1%).
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