According to data issued Friday by the state Employment Development Department, San Diego County’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in July from a corrected 4.9% in June and above the 4.8% average from the previous year.
In July, California’s unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.1%, while the national rate was 4.6%.
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Total nonfarm employment fell by 15,500 positions, from 1,573,100 to 1,557,600, between June 2025 and July 2025. Employment in agriculture decreased by 100 jobs.
With 17,200 fewer positions, the government industry sector witnessed the biggest drop in month-over-month figures. More than 83% of these losses were only the result of a summer break. The federal government stayed stable while the state government lost 2,900 jobs.
Additionally, a total of 1,300 jobs were lost in the construction industry, business services, and professional services.
A total of 3,000 jobs were added across seven industries, according to month-over-month data. Health care and social assistance were the main drivers of the 1,400 increase in private education and health services.
While agricultural employment decreased by 100 jobs between July 2024 and July 2025, total nonfarm employment rose by 6,300 jobs.
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Here, private health and education services also saw growth, generating 14,400 jobs, more than any other sector. More over 92% of the rise in this industry, or 13,300, was attributable to health care and social assistance.
Over the course of the year, the government created 6,500 new employment, driving growth in other industries including leisure and hospitality as well as other services.
But during the course of the year, 15,800 fewer jobs were lost in six economic sectors. Among these, manufacturing lost 3,800 jobs, while professional and business services lost 6,800. The remaining losses were reported by utilities, trade, information, construction, financial activities, and transportation.
