Southern California, August 22, 2025
News Summary
In Southern California, job growth has significantly slowed, with over half of its key employment sectors reporting layoffs in the past year. As of July, only 55,000 jobs were added, 47% below the historical average. While sectors like healthcare and social assistance showed employment gains, most industries faced job cuts, causing concern over the region’s economic stability amid rising uncertainty and cautious hiring practices.
California
Job growth in Southern California has slowed significantly amid rising economic uncertainty, with more than half of key employment sectors experiencing layoffs in the past year. As of July, the total number of employed workers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties reached 7.95 million, marking an increase of just 55,000 jobs compared to year-over-year figures. This rate of job creation is now 47% below the historical average of 104,300 annual job growth seen since 2010.
Disparate Job Market Trends
Analysis of the region’s 15 major employment sectors reveals a troubling trend: 9 sectors have reported job cuts while only 6 have expanded their payrolls at rates surpassing their historical norms. The expanding industries added a combined total of 120,700 jobs over the past year. However, these gains were overshadowed by significant job losses in contracting fields, which saw reductions of 65,600 jobs.
Industries with Job Cuts
The sectors that faced the most severe cuts included:
- Manufacturing: Down 18,100 jobs, now totaling 544,500 workers.
- Construction: Lost 16,400 jobs, bringing current employment to 362,600.
- Professional and Business Services: Cut 9,500 jobs, now employing 1.12 million workers.
- Financial Services: Reduced by 8,700 jobs to 48,100 workers.
- Fast-Food Restaurants: Decreased by 6,800 jobs, now at 46,900.
- Logistics and Utilities: Down 2,400 jobs to 794,300 positions.
- Personal Services: Saw a contraction of 1,700 jobs, totaling 265,700.
- Retailing: Experienced a decline of 1,400 jobs, totaling 718,600.
- Full-Service Eateries: Cut 600 jobs, resulting in 33,100 workers.
Growing Sectors
Despite the layoffs, several sectors reported growth, with the most notable increases occurring in:
- Healthcare: Gained 39,500 jobs, reaching a total of 871,100.
- Social Assistance: Increased by 36,500 jobs to 542,900.
- Government: Added 18,400 jobs, now at 996,300 workers.
- Private Education: Up by 15,400 jobs, totaling 200,900.
- Hotels and Recreation: Expanded by 6,000 jobs to 284,500.
- Information Technology: Increased by 4,900 jobs, totaling 223,100 employees.
Economic Pressures
The current slowdown in job growth is attributed to economic uncertainty stemming from new administration policies, which have resulted in diminished consumer and corporate confidence. Consequently, businesses are adopting a cautious hiring stance as they navigate these pressures, complicating efforts to create new jobs in the area.
Historical Comparison
The region’s job growth rates are now falling well short of historical averages, highlighting the challenges that local businesses face in sustaining employment levels. The disparities in job growth among various sectors signal an economic landscape that is increasingly turbulent and difficult to navigate.
Conclusion
Overall, the job market in Southern California is showing signs of strain, with both significant job losses in critical sectors and growth in others. As companies and workers adapt to an uncertain economic climate, it remains unclear how long these trends will continue to impact the region’s overall employment situation.
FAQs
- What is the total number of jobs created in Southern California in the last year?
- Southern California saw an increase of 55,000 jobs year-over-year as of July, totaling 7.95 million employed workers.
- How much has job growth decreased compared to typical trends since 2010?
- Which sectors saw the largest job cuts?
- Manufacturing, Construction, Professional and Business Services, Financial Services, Fast-Food Restaurants, Logistics and Utilities, Personal Services, Retailing, and Full-Service Eateries all faced significant job reductions.
- Are there sectors that are currently hiring?
- Yes, sectors such as Healthcare, Social Assistance, Government, Private Education, Hotels and Recreation, and Information Technology reported job increases.
Key Features of Southern California Job Growth
| Sector | Job Changes | Total Employment | Historical Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | -18,100 | 544,500 | -5,100 |
| Construction | -16,400 | 362,600 | -8,600 |
| Professional and Business Services | -9,500 | 1.12 million | -15,300 |
| Healthcare | +39,500 | 871,100 | +19,700 |
| Social Assistance | +36,500 | 542,900 | +17,800 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- OC Register: Southern California Job Cuts
- Wikipedia: Economy of California
- OC Register: Job Creation in Southern California
- Google Search: Southern California job market
- Desert Sun: Best California Companies to Work For
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Employment
- LA Times: FEMA Hiring Temporary Workers
- Google News: California job market trends
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
