The unemployment rate in San Diego County climbed a notch in October, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.
According to the agency, 76,100 San Diegans were unemployed last month out of a civilian labor force of almost 1.6 million people. That's 8,000 more unemployed people than in September, but 3,100 fewer than October last year.
Last month's and September's 4.8 percent unemployment rates compare to 5.1 percent in October 2015.
The unemployment rate throughout California was 5.3 percent this October, while the nationwide figure was 4.7 percent, according to the Employment Development Department. Neither the state nor federal figures are seasonally adjusted.
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Between September and October, the biggest job gains were seen in local government education, around 3,300 positions; state government education, 3,100; and retail, 2,500, EDD data showed. The biggest losses were in hospitality, down 5,300 jobs, mostly in food services and drinking establishments.
On an annual basis, the sector with the biggest gain was health care and social assistance at 5,600 positions. Restaurants added 5,000 jobs over the past year, while local government added 4,100.
"Seasonal hiring is enthusiastically kicking in and employers are anxious to hire," said Phil Blair of Manpower Staffing San Diego.
"People are jumping back into the job market and are confident there are opportunities for them," Blair said. "The interesting question is how the new administration will impact employment in the beginning of the year. Typically, the uncertainty keeps hiring flat through the first quarter."
