Beacon Employment Report California – Regional Overview

Los Angeles (MD) saw the largest increase, where payrolls grew by 20,200 during the month. Orange County (10,500), the Inland Empire (7,700), and San Diego (5,300) also saw their payrolls jump. Since the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020, Los Angeles (MD) (-11.4%) has experienced the steepest job losses in the region, measured by percentage decrease, followed by Orange County (-9.8%), Ventura (-9.1%), El Centro (-8.5%), San Diego (-8.3%) and the Inland Empire (-4.9%).

In the San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco (MD) experienced the largest increase, with payrolls expanding by 6,100 positions in March. San Jose (5,100), the East Bay (2,400), and Santa Rosa (1,600) also saw payrolls expand during the month. Since the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020, San Francisco (MD) (-12.1%) has had the steepest declines in the Bay Area, followed by Napa (-11.1%), Santa Rosa (-10.7%), the East Bay (-9.3%), San Rafael (MD) (-8.8%), Vallejo (-7.9%), and San Jose (-7.8%).

In the Central Valley, Sacramento experienced the largest monthly increase as payrolls expanded by 3,400 positions in March. Payrolls in Stockton (2,300), Fresno (1,600), Chico (900), Merced (900), and Bakersfield (800) increased steadily as well. Since the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020, Yuba (-8.7%) had the steepest declines, followed by Chico (-8.1%), Bakersfield (-8.0%), Visalia (-6.9%), Fresno (-6.8%), Hanford (-6.3%), and Sacramento (-6.0%).

On California’s Central Coast, Santa Barbara added the largest number of jobs, with payrolls increasing by 1,800 during the month. Salinas (1,500) and San Luis Obispo (800) also saw payrolls expand during the month. Since the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020, Santa Cruz (-12.7%) shed positions at the fastest rate, followed by San Luis Obispo (-11.8%), Salinas (-9.3%), and Santa Barbara (-8.4%).