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 14.7% in April 2020, 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 rapidly changing, 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—workers 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.
Stacker compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area using data from U.S. Census Bureau. 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
