{"schema_version": 1, "id": "chico-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 132, "label": "Chico, CA MSA", "slug": "chico-ca-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:27:22.095222+00:00", "headline": "Chico's jobless rate outpaces state and nation as healthcare holds steady.", "headline_summary": "Butte County unemployment sat at 6.2% in August against California's 5.1% and the national 4.1%, even as local Registered Nurse pay climbed to $141,107, nearly $39,000 above the national median.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Butte County unemployment rate", "value": "6.2%", "context": "vs 5.1% California, 4.1% national (Aug 2026)"}, {"label": "Local employment change", "value": "-4.5k", "context": "Year-over-year decline through July 2026"}, {"label": "California unemployment rate", "value": "5.1%", "context": "Held flat 3rd straight month, down from 5.5% a year ago"}, {"label": "National job postings momentum", "value": "+2.8% YoY", "context": "Indeed JPI, up from -8.1% a year ago"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Chico's jobless rate diverges sharply from state and national trend lines.", "body": "At 6.2% in August, Butte County unemployment runs a full point above California's 5.1% and roughly 2 points above the national 4.1%, even as both broader economies showed stabilizing or improving conditions. Local economic development messaging should account for this gap with its own local framing."}, {"headline": "Healthcare wage strength looks structural.", "body": "Registered Nurse pay rose to a metro median of $141,107, outpacing the national median by nearly $39,000 and tracking a national pattern of healthcare-led hiring demand. Enloe Medical Center's continued presence as a top local H-1B sponsor reinforces that this sector is absorbing a disproportionate share of local labor market activity."}, {"headline": "Construction and delivery pay softening may flag local demand cooling.", "body": "Construction Laborer pay fell significantly to $52,000 and Delivery Driver pay declined moderately to $38,585, even as national Construction Laborer pay rose. This divergence is consistent with softer local building and consumer-facing activity relative to national trends, worth watching as a leading indicator of broader local demand."}, {"headline": "CDL driver pay surge stands out against a flat freight-adjacent basket.", "body": "CDL Truck Driver advertised pay climbed significantly to $85,000 locally, well above the $78,872 national median, even as Delivery Driver and Warehouse pay both softened. The divergence may point to tightening competition for licensed drivers specifically, a narrower dynamic than broad-based logistics sector strength."}], "local_conditions": "Butte County's unemployment rate sat at 6.2% in August, roughly 50 points above the national rate of 4.1% and more than a full point above California's 5.1%, with local employment down 4.5k year-over-year even as the state added jobs overall. Health Care and Social Assistance, anchored by Enloe Medical Center and CSU Chico, continues to carry a disproportionate share of local employment stability while national data show healthcare leading private-sector hiring broadly \u2014 a pattern this metro's job postings largely confirm.", "implications": "Elevated unemployment alongside a stable healthcare and education core suggests Chico's labor market is bifurcated, with strength concentrated in specific sectors even as overall conditions run soft \u2014 a dynamic relevant to local investment and expansion timing beyond a simple go/no-go signal. Advertised pay for Registered Nurses (up, to $141,107) and Financial Analysts (up significantly, to $102,968) point to pockets of local wage pressure even as broader metro unemployment runs well above state and national averages. Commerce leaders evaluating expansion or relocation incentives should weigh sector-specific momentum, particularly in healthcare and skilled trades, alongside the metro's headline unemployment figure to get the fuller picture.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Data to confirm", "body": "October and November EDD releases will show whether Butte County's unemployment rate continues climbing past August's 6.2% or stabilizes, clarifying whether summer softness was seasonal or trend-based."}, {"category": "Policy signal", "body": "California's SB 951 will require WARN notices to disclose AI-driven layoffs starting with EDD's quarterly displacement reports \u2014 a dataset worth monitoring for early signs of automation-driven disruption reaching inland counties like Butte."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Statewide inland-coastal unemployment splits (Fresno 8.1%, Bakersfield-Delano 7.9% versus SF Bay 4.0%) suggest Chico's elevated rate may reflect a broader inland California pattern that extends beyond local conditions alone \u2014 comparing upcoming releases across inland counties will help local leaders calibrate expectations."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "National wage-vs-CPI compression (nominal wages up 3.6%, real wages down slightly) has direct relevance for Chico's retail and hospitality-dependent local spending; watch whether Q4 holiday-season consumer activity holds up against this squeeze on household purchasing power."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35152.0, "metro_p50": 36452.0, "metro_p75": 38969.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31404.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 36400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36400.0, "metro_p50": 40001.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57094.0, "metro_p50": 85000.0, "metro_p75": 91000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34542.0, "metro_p50": 38585.0, "metro_p75": 42640.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37440.0, "metro_p50": 52000.0, "metro_p75": 52000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 68577.5, "metro_p50": 78092.0, "metro_p75": 81120.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 44200.0, "metro_p50": 45760.0, "metro_p75": 45760.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37960.0, "metro_p50": 43680.0, "metro_p75": 44262.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37336.0, "metro_p50": 41600.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 46800.0, "metro_p50": 51110.0, "metro_p75": 54756.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 42640.0, "metro_p50": 49920.0, "metro_p75": 53508.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 70720.0, "metro_p50": 81120.0, "metro_p75": 81120.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 107120.0, "metro_p50": 141107.0, "metro_p75": 149011.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 143113.0, "metro_p50": 168435.0, "metro_p75": 193257.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 106585.0, "metro_p50": 145000.0, "metro_p75": 162500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60691.5, "metro_p50": 84682.4, "metro_p75": 87783.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 94735.75, "metro_p50": 102968.4, "metro_p75": 115301.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 68450.5, "metro_p50": 80000.0, "metro_p75": 84125.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 50000.0, "metro_p50": 70050.0, "metro_p75": 79850.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 81730.0, "metro_p50": 109470.8, "metro_p75": 129375.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37172.0, "metro_p50": 55638.0, "metro_p75": 68065.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 65312.5, "metro_p50": 76333.6, "metro_p75": 96683.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 74500.0, "metro_p50": 94853.0, "metro_p75": 102750.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 97358.0, "metro_p50": 98842.0, "metro_p75": 98842.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 78750.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 108455.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 42120.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 58641.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 55803.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 55357.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 92352.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 85000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 39198.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 72958.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "chico-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "chico-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "chico-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:19:59.103061+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/chico-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/chico-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}