Industries with the highest employment in San Diego
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
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Industries with the highest employment in San Diego
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in San Diego are the surest bets for employment.
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#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 461 (0.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.1%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 461 (0.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.1%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 3,945 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +682.7%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 3,945 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +682.7%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 9,327 (0.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -22.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 9,327 (0.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -22.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Wholesale trade
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 33,044 (2.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -7.1%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 33,044 (2.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -7.1%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#15. Information
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 36,922 (2.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +27.3%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 36,922 (2.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +27.3%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
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#14. Real estate and rental and leasing
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 40,460 (2.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.8%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 40,460 (2.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.8%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
#13. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 49,148 (3.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.6%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 49,148 (3.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.6%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
#12. Transportation and warehousing
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 54,997 (3.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +36.4%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 54,997 (3.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +36.4%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#11. Finance and insurance
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 62,526 (3.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +12.7%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 62,526 (3.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +12.7%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
#10. Administrative and support and waste management services
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 78,671 (4.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +33.7%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 78,671 (4.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +33.7%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
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#9. Public administration
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 79,369 (4.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -6.7%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 79,369 (4.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -6.7%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#8. Other services, except public administration
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 88,171 (5.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.5%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 88,171 (5.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.5%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
#7. Construction
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 105,247 (6.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +28.4%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 105,247 (6.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +28.4%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#6. Accommodation and food services
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 135,334 (8.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +29.9%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 135,334 (8.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +29.9%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#5. Educational services
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 137,572 (8.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.9%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 137,572 (8.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.9%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
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#4. Manufacturing
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 154,635 (9.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.2%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 154,635 (9.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.2%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
#3. Retail trade
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 164,833 (10.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +15.9%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 164,833 (10.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +15.9%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#2. Professional, scientific, and technical services
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 175,983 (10.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +28.8%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 175,983 (10.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +28.8%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
#1. Health care and social assistance
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 206,206 (12.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.3%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 206,206 (12.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.3%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
