San Diego’s unemployment rate fell by nearly 1 percent in April to 8.7 percent from a revised 9.6 percent in March, and by a full 1 percent from April 2011, according to the state’s Employment Development Department report on May 18.
The region’s jobless rate compared favorably to California’s adjusted rate of 10.9 percent for the same month, but was still above that of the adjusted national rate of 8.1 percent in April.
The region added a net of 2,600 jobs during the prior month led by three sectors: professional and business services, up 1,400; leisure and hospitality, up 1,300; and financial activities, up 1,000.
Four sectors showed net losses, led by government, down 1,000, and manufacturing, down 900.
Over the past 12 months to April 2011, the San Diego region gained a net of 9,200 jobs, or 0.7 percent, the EDD said.
The largest contributions came from education and health services, up 5,500 jobs; professional and business services, up 4,800; and trade, transportation and utilities (a sector that includes retail trade), up 3,400.