Government led month-over job gains

The unemployment rate in the Sacramento-Arden Arcade-Roseville MSA was 9.7 percent in September, down from a revised 10.3 percent in August, and below the year-ago estimate of 11.5 percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent for California and 7.6 percent for the nation during the same period.

The unemployment rate was 9.0 percent in El Dorado County, 8.8 percent in Placer County, 10.2 percent in Sacramento County, and 9.0 percent in Yolo County.

Between August and September total wage and salary employment located in the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo increased by 2,400 to total 825,500 jobs.

Government increased by 3,100 jobs. Local government (up 3,200 jobs) offset a loss in federal government (down 100 jobs) to account for the increase. State government was unchanged over the month.

Education and health services added 1,600 jobs. Health care and social assistance (up 900 jobs) and education services (up 700 jobs) accounted for the gain.

Financial activities, manufacturing, and total farm each gained 400 jobs.

On the downside, leisure and hospitality declined by 1,900 jobs. Accommodation and food services (down 1,200 jobs) and arts, entertainment, and recreation (down 700 jobs) accounted for the decrease.

Between September 2011 and September 2012, the total number of jobs located in the region increased by 17,200 or 2.13 percent.

Trade, transportation, and utilities increased by 4,500 jobs. Retail trade (up 3,900 jobs) accounted for the bulk of the growth. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities (up 400 jobs) and wholesale trade (up 200 jobs) accounted for the balance.

Professional and business services added 4,200 jobs. Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services (up 4,600 jobs) offset a loss in professional, scientific, and technical services (down 400 jobs). Management of companies and enterprises was unchanged over the year.

Construction (up 3,400 jobs) and education and health services (up 3,300 jobs) each experienced sizable gains.

On the downside, government declined by 900 jobs. State government (down
1,200 jobs) and federal government (down 500 jobs) offset a gain in local government (up 800 jobs).