Which business sectors hit hardest with unemployment during pandemic?

March 29, 2021

San Luis Obispo County’s labor market strengthened in February as employers added 1,000 jobs, dropping the unemployment rate to 6.3% from 6.9% in January, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

Employment numbers are making a comeback as COVID-19 vaccines are broadly distributed and economic activity picks up, but have not reached last fall’s numbers. In December, California’s shelter at home order drove the county’s unemployment rate up to 6.7% from 5.5% in November.

Jobs in hospitality and state education took the biggest hits during the coronavirus pandemic, and appear to be the slowest to recover. Compared to a year ago, 37% fewer people are employed in the motel industry and another 31% fewer people work in restaurants.

In addition, 1,600 fewer SLO County residents are employed in the state education sector, a loss of 29% of those jobs.

The number of people currently working in the wholesale industry is back to pre-pandemic numbers while retail trade employment is down only 300 jobs from a year ago, or 2%.

San Luis Obispo County is ranked sixth out of 58 California counties for lower numbers of unemployed workers. SLO County’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average of 6.6% and the state’s 8.4% rate.

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SLO County is getting $54.9 million in COVID-19 funding. Lever these funds with a powerful advertising campaign promoting in-state and near state travel to SLO County by people who have been vaccinated. They are itching to go. This will promote quick recovery in the retail, food and lodging industries. Be one of the first in-state tourist locales to seize this opportunity. Use the money to make more money and reverse business pandemic losses. STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT.


too bad $54.8 million will go to County Employee wage hikes….


Nice idea but we all know the Covid money will be used for an increase in government salaries, benefits and pensions, with very little going to anything really effected by Covid.


Awwwwwhhh, it’s kinda cute how amazingly naive you are “Mazin.” I hate to be the one to tell you that there is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy, but shelworth and kayaknut are pretty much correct.


I figure $40 million will go to bailing out unfunded government employee pension deficits. $13 million will go to government employee raises. $1 million to Transitions Mental Health to continue to pretend to do something about the homeless (maybe some to CAPSLO too, but not so much now that we don’t have to bribe their Executive Director to sleep with Adam Hill). Then maybe the final 900k will go to business and tourism, but only to those deemed worthy by our most elite and exclusive local Chambers of Commerce.


And don’t forget diversity awareness training mixed in with a pinch of white guilt re-education…