{"schema_version": 1, "id": "los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 266, "label": "Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA", "slug": "los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-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": "2026-11-03T07:48:24.680526+00:00", "headline": "LA unemployment hits post-2023 low as payrolls shrink", "headline_summary": "Los Angeles County's jobless rate fell to 4.8% in September, its lowest since 2023, even as total nonfarm payrolls dropped by 4,100 jobs and entertainment-sector employment fell by 3,800.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "LA County unemployment rate", "value": "4.8%", "context": "Down from 5.0% in August; first sub-5% since 2023"}, {"label": "LA County nonfarm payroll change", "value": "-4,100 jobs", "context": "Aug-to-Sept 2026, despite falling unemployment"}, {"label": "Healthcare/education job gains", "value": "+14,200", "context": "Only major sector with sizable September growth"}, {"label": "LA County avg. weekly wage", "value": "$1,721", "context": "vs. $1,654 national average, Q1 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Below-5% unemployment masks a shrinking payroll base.", "body": "Los Angeles County's jobless rate improvement coincided with a 4,100-job monthly decline in total nonfarm employment, consistent with workers exiting the labor force during a period without a broad hiring upswing. Commerce and policy leaders should treat the headline rate as incomplete without the participation context."}, {"headline": "Healthcare is the one sector carrying the metro's job growth.", "body": "Private education and health services added 14,200 positions between August and September, the only sector posting a gain of that scale, while entertainment and food services both contracted sharply. A single-sector growth engine signals concentration risk for the broader local economy."}, {"headline": "Entertainment sector contraction compounds an existing structural strain.", "body": "Motion pictures and sound recording shed 3,500 jobs locally in September, adding to a sector already contending with production shifts and streaming economics. Given the industry's historic multiplier effect on hospitality, retail, and services spending in Los Angeles, continued softness here warrants closer tracking than its headline size suggests."}, {"headline": "Wage levels outpace the nation, but real purchasing power is uncertain.", "body": "Los Angeles County's $1,721 average weekly wage beats the national $1,654 average, yet national data show median earnings rising just 1.5% against 3.5% CPI growth over the same period. Local wage data without a matching regional CPI comparison leaves a gap in understanding actual household spending capacity."}], "local_conditions": "Los Angeles County's unemployment rate fell to 4.8% in September \u2014 its first dip below 5% since 2023 \u2014 even as total nonfarm employment contracted by 4,100 jobs month-over-month, a combination that appears to reflect labor force exits alongside job losses in a market with mixed signals. Private education and health services added 14,200 positions, offsetting steep declines in food services (-4,500) and motion pictures and sound recording (-3,500), underscoring a metro economy where healthcare and consumer-facing service contraction are moving in opposite directions simultaneously.", "implications": "Falling unemployment alongside shrinking payrolls complicates any straightforward reading of local economic health \u2014 commerce leaders evaluating expansion or investment timing should weight the underlying composition (healthcare growth, entertainment and hospitality softness) more heavily than the headline rate alone. Los Angeles County's average weekly wage of $1,721 sits well above the national average of $1,654, yet real wage growth nationally is negative once CPI is factored in, meaning consumer purchasing power locally may be softer than the pay figures suggest. Current conditions suggest monitoring the entertainment sector's contraction closely, given its outsized role in the region's economic identity and downstream effects on hospitality and retail spending.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Watch whether Los Angeles County's sub-5% unemployment rate holds alongside continued payroll contraction, or whether the two converge. A sustained divergence would point to labor force shrinkage as the main driver behind the improved jobless figure."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Information sector job ads, a signal of hiring demand (one ad often covers several openings), remain depressed alongside the 3,800 jobs lost in September, concentrated in motion pictures and sound recording. A multi-month slide here would have ripple effects across the region's hospitality, retail, and services base given the sector's local economic weight."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Statewide WARN filings reached 583 notices covering 65,139 workers through late October, with California-specific filings including Netflix, Fender, and ServiceNow. Track whether Los Angeles-based filings accelerate relative to the state pace, which would signal metro-specific softening beyond the statewide trend."}, {"category": "Expected", "body": "Healthcare and education job growth is likely to continue given demographic demand tied to an aging population, a pattern consistent across county, state, and national data this month. Commerce leaders planning around consumer demand should expect this sector to remain the most reliable source of local payroll growth in the near term."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 39850.0, "metro_p75": 42692.0, "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": 34788.0, "metro_p50": 38877.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36523.0, "metro_p50": 41600.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 59771.5, "metro_p50": 77512.0, "metro_p75": 83809.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34837.0, "metro_p50": 37391.6, "metro_p75": 43414.0, "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": 37854.0, "metro_p50": 44720.0, "metro_p75": 48880.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61129.75, "metro_p50": 75985.0, "metro_p75": 83200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37170.0, "metro_p50": 43160.0, "metro_p75": 46800.0, "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": 38865.0, "metro_p50": 44720.0, "metro_p75": 48880.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36400.0, "metro_p50": 44109.6, "metro_p75": 50752.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 42640.0, "metro_p50": 46800.0, "metro_p75": 50096.25, "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": 41600.0, "metro_p50": 50960.0, "metro_p75": 57200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 62400.0, "metro_p50": 76611.0, "metro_p75": 84905.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 99388.0, "metro_p50": 121081.0, "metro_p75": 132600.0, "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": 121085.75, "metro_p50": 160321.0, "metro_p75": 180000.0, "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": "metro", "metro_p25": 99987.0, "metro_p50": 145289.0, "metro_p75": 159264.0, "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": 63512.0, "metro_p50": 78114.0, "metro_p75": 87500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 78776.0, "metro_p50": 100927.6, "metro_p75": 110000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 64574.0, "metro_p50": 80460.0, "metro_p75": 89147.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 50452.0, "metro_p50": 70000.0, "metro_p75": 77652.0, "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": "metro", "metro_p25": 82500.0, "metro_p50": 115000.0, "metro_p75": 150000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "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": 44463.5, "metro_p50": 61591.0, "metro_p75": 72121.0, "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": 70000.0, "metro_p50": 95000.0, "metro_p75": 116381.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 74500.0, "metro_p50": 97941.6, "metro_p75": 121428.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 83312.0, "metro_p50": 99738.0, "metro_p75": 114400.0, "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": 91000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 117600.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 42952.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 64036.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 99600.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 86146.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 85657.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 73004.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 41600.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 74539.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "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": "los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:25:21.010369+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/los-angeles-long-beach-santa-ana-ca-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}