The unemployment rate in San Diego County last month was 6.7 percent, down from a revised 7 percent in April and below the estimate of 8.8 percent in May 2012, the state Employment Development Department reported today.
The statewide unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in May and was 7.3 percent nationwide, according to the EDD. Neither the state nor federal figures are seasonally adjusted.
San Diego County's largest gain between April and May was in the leisure and hospitality industry, which added 3,300 positions, according to the EDD. About 91 percent of the growth in that sector was in accommodation and food services.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector added about 1,200 jobs, mostly in retail trade and financial activities, the EDD reported.
About 500 positions were lost in the education and health services sector, according to the EDD. Losses were also reported in the information and manufacturing sectors.
The EDD reported that 6,000 non-farm jobs have been added in San Diego County between April and May, while 300 agricultural jobs were gained.
The largest increase since May 2012 came in professional and business services, which added 5,600 jobs, according to the agency. Around 20,300 non-farm jobs have been added in San Diego County over the year.
According to the EDD, 108,000 San Diegans were unemployed last month, out of a civilian labor force of more than 1.6 million. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.
