What is the unemployment rate in the San Francisco, CA area right now?
Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in the San Francisco, CA area was at 3.9% in April 2026. That's a 0.2 percentage point decrease from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It helps indicate the overall condition of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metro Area job market.
In April 2026,
3.9%
of the labor force was unemployed in San Francisco, CA area
April 2026 had a
-0.2
percentage point change from April 2025
Metro area-level unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not account for fluctuations due to seasonal employment patterns, such as tourism or agriculture. That means the data may show large changes month to month. It’s important to view this local data with a long-term lens.
The unemployment rate in San Francisco, CA area was higher in April 2026 (YTD) compared with January 2019.
Unemployment rate by month, not seasonally adjusted, 2019-2026 (YTD)
Unemployment rates differ between urban areas due to various factors. The types of industries present in an area may affect unemployment rates. Seasonal work in industries like tourism can cause unemployment to go up and down. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.
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How does unemployment in the San Francisco, CA area compare to other metros?
1. Introduction - Unemployment rates are an indicator of economic health in any region. Understanding how the San Francisco, CA area fares in comparison to other metropolitan areas can provide insights into its economic stability and growth. 2. Current Unemployment Rate - The latest unemployment rate for the San Francisco, CA area is X%. This rate can be compared to the national average of Y%. 3. Historical Trends - Historically, the San Francisco, CA area has experienced fluctuations in its unemployment rate. Over the past decade, trends in this area can be compared to those in other metropolitan areas to understand broader economic patterns. 4. Factors Influencing Unemployment - Several factors influence the unemployment rate in the San Francisco, CA area, including the presence of industries such as technology and finance, as well as local economic policies. These factors can be compared to those in other metropolitan areas to identify unique influences. 5. Comparison with Other Metros - For comparison, the unemployment rates in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, and Chicago, IL are A%, B%, and C%, respectively. The San Francisco, CA area's unemployment rate ranks higher/lower among these metros. 6. Economic Impact - The economic impact of the unemployment rate in the San Francisco, CA area affects local businesses, housing markets, and consumer spending. Comparing this impact to other metropolitan areas can highlight the broader economic consequences. 7. Conclusion - In summary, the San Francisco, CA area has a unique unemployment rate influenced by various factors. Comparing this rate to other metropolitan areas reveals differences and similarities, providing a comprehensive understanding of its economic health. Further research or policy intervention may be necessary to address specific challenges in this region.Among 108 metro areas with more than 250,000 people in the labor force, the San Francisco, CA area had the 41st highest unemployment rate in April 2026.
Other areas with similar unemployment rates to the San Francisco, CA area's 3.9% unemployment rate were the Rochester, NY area (3.9%) and the Tulsa, OK area (3.9%).
In April 2026, the San Francisco, CA area had the 41st highest unemployment rate among metro areas with more than 250,000 people in the labor force.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted (Circle size corresponds to the size of the labor force)
Unemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)
| 1. | El Centro, CA area | 16.5% |
| 2. | Yuma, AZ area | 13.9% |
| 3. | Visalia, CA area | 10.2% |
| 4. | Merced, CA area | 9.6% |
| 5. | Hanford, CA area | 8.9% |
| 6. | Bakersfield, CA area | 8.7% |
| 7. | Guayama, PR area | 8.6% |
| 8. | Eagle Pass, TX area | 8.5% |
| 9. | Fresno, CA area | 8.1% |
| 10. | Wildwood, FL area | 7.9% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
