Southern California job growth runs 66% below historic pace in March
Updated
Updated · OCRegister · May 1
Southern California job growth runs 66% below historic pace in March
10 articles · Updated · OCRegister · May 1
The region employed 9.92 million workers and added 43,400 jobs over the year, far below its 126,500 average annual gain since 2010.
California statewide job growth was 17% below its historic pace, while US growth was down 86%; San Diego hit a record 1.58 million jobs, but Orange and Ventura counties lost jobs.
Los Angeles and the Inland Empire still added jobs, though well below trend, as employers faced policy uncertainty, the Iranian war, state business pressures and labour shortages linked to immigration crackdowns.
With job growth at a historic low, is Southern California facing a temporary slump or a permanent economic decline?
As war and AI disrupt labor, are California's high costs creating a perfect storm for its job market?