Where are the Sacramento jobs? These 9 charts show which industry is growing, or shrinking

The number of employed workers in the Sacramento region dropped by more than 140,000 in just three months between February and May — but some job sectors were hit much harder than others, according to the latest figures from the Employment Development Department.

With the unemployment rate at 13.6 percent in May, here are the industries that lost the most jobs — and the ones that grew.

Sectors shrinking the most

Hotels

The number of hotel workers fell by 73 percent in the Sacramento region from February to May, a loss of about 7,400 jobs.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order in March for residents to stay at home meant hotels lost customers. As travel dropped sharply, vacancy rates in hotels rose quickly. One recent survey showed hotel bookings down by 70 percent in Sacramento, a trend that concerned city leaders who rely on Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to fund government programs.

“The challenge for some of the hotels is it’s more cost-effective to close than it is to remain open for such a low occupancy,” Mike Testa of Visit Sacramento told Capital Public Radio in May.

Clothing stores

The number of clothing store workers fell by 61 percent in the Sacramento region from February to May, a loss of about 4,900 jobs. Clothing stores were shuttered for weeks during the COVID-19 crisis - and are only now reopening. Stores without customers rapidly laid off their workers.

There is a small bright spot in the data for clothing stores — they added back about 1,100 jobs from April to May, and will likely add more in June due to reopenings.

Full-service restaurants

The number of full-service restaurant workers fell by 52 percent in the Sacramento region from February to May, a loss of about 17,700 jobs.

Newsom’s stay-at-home order restricted customers from dining inside a restaurant and instead only allowed takeout or delivery. That hurt full-service restaurants here more than “limited service” ones like fast food joints.

Restaurants are once-again allowing in-person dining, but with some restrictions. Like clothing stores, full-service restaurants recovered a bit during May, but nearly enough to close the gap.

Repair and maintenance

This sector is primarily composed of auto repair workers, though it also includes car washes, appliance repair workers and computer repair workers. Employment in the sector fell by about 31 percent, or 3,300 jobs.

Many auto shops were allowed to stay open during quarantine — but fewer people were driving. That meant less demand for repairs.

Likewise, car dealerships, a separate job sector, shed jobs faster than most other sectors. Neither dealerships nor repair shops showed much of a comeback in jobs during May.

Sectors still growing

Building Construction

The building construction industry in Sacramento typically adds workers in the summer, and this year has not yet proven an exception. The number of building construction workers grew by about 7 percent, or 1,100 workers, from February to May.

The gains may be short-lived. Census figures show that local governments in the area approved permits for just 363 new housing units in April, down from 833 the previous April.

Building material & garden equipment stores

Newsom’s stay-at-home order excluded hardware stores. Many Sacramentans stuck at home, in turn, decided they would do something to improve their surroundings.

The number of home improvement and garden store workers grew by about 5 percent, or 400 workers, from February to May.

Grocery stores

Newsom’s stay-at-home order also excluded grocery stores. In some cases, trips to the grocery store were the only times Sacramentans went into public in April and May.

The number of grocery store workers grew by about 4 percent, or 700 workers, from February to May.

Insurance carriers

This job sector is primarily composed of insurance agents, claims adjusters and insurance underwriters. It grew by about 3 percent, or 600 jobs, from February to June.

State workers

State workers are a cornerstone of Sacramento’s economy. Even when the economy falters, they tend to keep their jobs.

The number of state workers in the Sacramento region — excluding workers for the state’s higher education systems — grew by 1 percent, or 1,200, from February to May.

State workers are still, however, suffering. California’s largest state worker union recently agreed to take two furlough days per month in response to the crisis. The 9.23% pay reduction will be partially offset by suspended payments to retirement health care.

About this analysis: The figures above represent employment at the industry level between February and June. The analysis excludes industries that employed fewer than 8,000 workers in February.