County Jobless Rate Falls Back to 2.9%

Bolstered by a surge in hiring in agriculture and the service industry, the county’s jobless rate for March fell to 2.9%, the second lowest in the state.

The March unemployment rate was down from 3.1% in February and matched January’s 2.9%. Only San Mateo County had a lower March rate, 2.8%.

Most economists consider unemployment rates below 4% as representing full employment. Some employers in the county, particularly those with large unskilled work forces, are complaining of a labor shortage.

Agricultural employment in the county posted the largest increase in March, rising by 3,700 jobs to 10,300 total positions. The increase, said labor analyst Dan Johnson of the state Employment Development Department, came largely as growers began hiring for the spring picking season.

The second-largest increase was posted by service companies, where payrolls swelled by 2,200 for a total of 267,100 jobs. Almost all the new jobs were added by amusement parks and other recreation-oriented employers staffing up for the Easter holiday season, Johnson said.

Also, construction employment rose by 1,200 jobs, to a total of 63,300 positions.

The slight improvement in the county’s already-bright employment picture can also be attributed in part to a revision in the number of people considered by EDD to be actively seeking jobs. The number of unemployed in the county, according to the EDD, dropped 2,800 for the month to a total of 38,100.