January 9, 2026
Beacon Employment Report | California
Presented by Beacon Economics
Copyright © Beacon Economics LLC
REGIONAL OVERVIEW
In Southern California, El Centro experienced the largest increase, with payrolls growing by 200 during the month, a 0.2% increase. In contrast, payrolls fell in Orange County (-2,100 or -0.1%), Los Angeles (MD) (-1,300), Ventura (-1,100 or -0.3%), the Inland Empire (-800), and San Diego (-400). Over the past year, El Centro (1.4%) has seen the fastest job growth in the region, followed by San Diego (1.0%), the Inland Empire (0.4%), Orange County (0.2%), Los Angeles (MD) (0.2%), and Ventura (-0.3%).
In the Bay Area, the East Bay enjoyed the largest increase, with payrolls growing by 700 during the month, a 0.1% increase. San Francisco (MD) (300 or 0.0%), Santa Rosa (200 or 0.1%), and San Rafael (MD) (100 or 0.1%) also saw their payrolls increase. On the other hand, payrolls fell in San Jose (-700 -0.1%) and Vallejo (-100 or -0.1%) and were unchanged in Napa. Over the past 12 months, Napa (3.3%) has seen the fastest job growth in the region, followed by Santa Rosa (0.7%), San Jose (0.1%), San Rafael (MD) (-0.1%), San Francisco (MD) (-0.3%) the East Bay (-0.6%), and Vallejo (-1.0%).
Regionally, job gains were led by the Central Valley. Fresno (1,200 or 0.3%) experienced the largest monthly increase in November. Payrolls in Bakersfield (500 or 0.2%), Modesto (500 or 0.3%), Visalia (400 or 0.3%), Redding (300 or 0.4%), Stockton (300 or 0.1%), and Hanford (100 or 0.1%) increased as well. On the other hand, payrolls declined in Sacramento (-200 or 0.0%) and Chico (-200 or -0.3%) and went unchanged in Yuba and Merced. Over the past year, Yuba (3.1%) has enjoyed the fastest growth, followed by Stockton (2.3%), Merced (2.3%), Modesto (1.9%), Chico (1.8%), Fresno (1.2%), Bakersfield (1.0%), Visalia (1.0%), Redding (0.6%), Sacramento (0.2%), and Hanford (-0.9%).
On California’s Central Coast, Salinas (700 or 0.5%) added the largest number of jobs during the month. Payrolls also grew in Santa Barbara (500 or 0.3%). Payrolls fell in San Luis Obispo (-100 or -0.1%) and were unchanged in Santa Cruz. From September 2024 to September 2025, Santa Cruz (1.8%) has added jobs at the fastest rate, followed by Salinas (1.7%), San Luis Obispo (0.8%), and Santa Barbara (0.6%).
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