San Diego Unemployment Ticks Up in June

Job Gains Erode as Professional Services See Steep Decline

San Diego County’s unemployment rate rose to 4.9% in June, a notable increase from May’s 4% and exceeding last year’s 4.4% figure. This uptick occurred as the state’s jobless rate stood at 5.7% and the national rate was 4.4%.

Month-Over-Month Job Losses Mount

Total nonfarm employment in San Diego County experienced a dip of 900 jobs between May and June, reaching 1,573,700. This decline was primarily driven by a significant loss of 2,800 positions in professional and business services. The subsectors of administrative and support, waste management, and remediation services shed 1,700 jobs, while professional, scientific, and technical services decreased by 1,100.

Further contributing to the downturn, private education and health services saw a reduction of 1,200 jobs. Government employment also declined by 1,100 positions, among other industries that collectively lost 2,400 jobs.

Sectors Show Mixed Annual Performance

Over the past year, from June 2024 to June 2025, San Diego County’s nonfarm employment grew by 14,400 positions. Private education and health services spearheaded this growth, adding 12,600 jobs, with over 90% of those gains concentrated in health care and social assistance. Government employment also saw a substantial increase of 7,100 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality, construction, other services, and trade, transportation, and utilities also contributed positively to the annual job figures. However, manufacturing experienced the most significant year-over-year job loss, shedding 4,500 positions. Professional and business services also saw a decrease of 3,600 jobs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in June 2025, the San Diego-Carlsbad metropolitan area had a labor force of 1,489,700, with 1,416,300 employed and 73,400 unemployed, aligning with the reported unemployment rate. This indicates a need for continued economic growth to absorb the available workforce.